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Lot #766
King Kong

Scarce first edition 'novelization' of King Kong

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Estimate: $1000+
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Description

Scarce first edition 'novelization' of King Kong

Rare first edition book: King Kong, conceived by Edgar Wallace and Merian C. Cooper, novelized by Delos W. Lovelace. First edition. NY: Grosset & Dunlap, 1932. Hardcover bound in original green cloth lettered in dark maroon, pictorial endpapers showing several action stills from the movie, with second-issue color pictorial dust jacket, 5.75 x 8.25, 249 pages. Book condition: VG/VG-, with a gift inscription and ownership stamp to the half-title page, ownership stamp to final page, several toned tape repairs to interior of the dust jacket, some tape remnants and chipping to edges of the dust jacket, and some scratches to the dust jacket.

Featuring stills from the classic RKO thriller on the endpapers, Delos W. Lovelace's original novelization of the film King Kong was released by Grosset & Dunlap in 1932 as part of the film's advance marketing. Co-creator Merian Cooper was the key influence in King Kong's development, with noted writer Edgar Wallace lending his well-recognized name to the screenplay; as Wallace passed away early in the creative process, the screenplay was ultimately authored by James Ashmore Creelman and Ruth Rose. This very rare first edition of the classic tale, released just over two months before the film's premiere, represents a landmark achievement in the 'monster thriller' genre of American science fiction.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #537 - Ended October 10, 2018