[Literature] Fante, John Group of 3 First Editions and One Signed Contract

1. Wait Until Spring, Bandini
New York: Stackpole Sons, (1938). First edition. 8vo. 265, (1) pp. Original blue-green cloth, stamped in blind and in orange; all edges trimmed; in original unclipped dust-jacket, scattered wear and short closed tears along extremities.

The author's first novel.

2. Ask the Dust
New York: Stackpole Sons, (1939). First edition. 8vo. 235 pp. Original beige cloth, stamped in red, slightly cocked; all edges trimmed; light foxing to endpapers; in scarce original unclipped dust-jacket ($2.00 price on front flap), variously worn with loses, panels unevenly faded, scattered foxing to same.

First edition in the scarce dust-jacket of Fante's classic semi-autobiographical novel set in Depression-era Los Angeles.

3. Dago Red
New York: The Viking Press, 1940. First edition. 8vo. 211 pp. Signed by Fante in pencil on front free endpaper. Original light blue cloth, stamped in red, scattered light soiling to boards and spine; all edges trimmed; in original unclipped illustrated dust-jacket, scattered wear along extremities.

The author's first collection of short stories.

4. Partially-Printed Publisher's Contract, signed
New York, December 18, 1975. Partially-printed Bantam Books, Inc. contract agreement for the paperback rights for Fante's sixth novel, The Brotherhood of the Grape, signed by Fante, Joyce Fante, and two Bantam representatives. 4 pp., each measuring 14 x 8 1/2 in. (356 x 216 mm); stapled in top left corner; two hole punches along top edge.

Provenance

From the private collection of Asher D. Atchick, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania