398. West (Nathanael) The Day of the Locust, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author 'Dear Peg - Mel is well, fat, frisky and behaving himself. I'm the same. Did he tell you the watchmen call him me and me him - we're both angry about it… Love Pep' to endpaper, original cloth, spine slightly faded, spine ends and corners a little bumped, otherwise excellent, dust-jacket, spine very slightly faded, minor repairs and restorations to spine ends and corners, still in effect a near-fine copy, preserved in custom drop-back box with multi-coloured morocco onlays with swirling designs, 8vo, New York, 1939.
est. £3000 – £4000
A superb copy of the author's final work before his tragic car crash, a savage satire on the vacuousness of Hollywood life, his masterpiece. 'Pep' was a nickname given to West in his youth that stuck with him all his life; it originated as an ironic nod to his lack of energy.