1947 John Steinbeck The First Watch Limited Edition
A Limited Edition, 1 of 60 copies. (and some out-of-series copies), this copy unnumbered. 10 copies were reserved for Steinbeck, 50 copies were for distribution by the Cohns.
Small octavo, 6 (2) pp. Original buff printed wrappers with hand ties, pictorial title-page lettered in black and red, wanting publisher's glassine envelope. Published by The Ward Ritchie Press for the Author and Marguerite and Louis Henry Cohn (Los Angeles), Christmas 1947. This copy has notable provenance, originally being owned by Ward Ritchie, with his personal book label present.Privately printed at the Ward Ritchie Press as the Cohns' Christmas greeting for the year. The Cohns' are notable for being the owners of House of Books in New York, one of the pioneering Booksellers in modern first editions. Louis Henry and Marguerite Cohn Hemingway Collection, University Of Delaware.
According to Goldstone & Payne A26a. "This elusive "A" item is a letter from Steinbeck to Arnold Gingrich, editor of "Esquire, thanking him for sending a watch as a gift, the letter is full of Steinbeck's typical humor noting that he had expected a watch when he graduated from high school, but none was forthcoming, and since he didn't actually graduate from Stanford University he likewise hadn't received a watch as a gift.