Cain, James M. Serenade.. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1937.

Price: US$650.00 + shipping

Description: First edition. Octavo, original black cloth with titles to the spine and front panel in silver. Inscribed by the author, "To Frank Whitbech, Who has more Cain first editions than Cain has and the more power to him. James M. Cain Los Angeles, Calif June 5, 1944". Bookplate of the recipient on the front free endpaper, a very good copy with light wear.

Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.

James M. Cain. Serenade (Hardcover, inscribed in 1938). Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1937.

Price: US$750.00 + shipping

Description: Second printing. INSCRIBED by the author in the year after publication: "To Miriam Geiger / In memory of pleasant times / James M. Cain / Feb 17, 1938." Jacket art by W. A. Dwiggins. One of Cain's least-appreciated novels, a hard-boiled story about a dethroned opera singer who meets the love of his life while wasting away in rural Mexico, then attempts a return to fame. Basis for the 1956 film directed by Anthony Mann and starring Mario Lanza and Joan Fontaine. . Very Good or better in a bright, Very Good plus example of the purple-and-red variant of the dust jacket (there are three different color variants, no priority). Slight spine lean, Some brief chipping to the cloth at the crown, light bumping to the spine ends. Jacket spine lightly toned, else bright and colorful, with a few tiny closed tears and a few tiny nicks at the spine ends. An attractive copy.

Seller: Royal Books, Inc., ABAA, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.