The Maltese Falcon by Hammett, Dashiell - 1931

New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1931. Later edition, seventh printing. 8vo. With the recipient's leather bookplate on the spine, some cloth spotting, front hinge cracked and partially mended, very good. Supplied is an original G&D dust jacket as well as the two promotional wraparound bands, one of which features illustrations from the film with Bebe Daniels, the first Brigid O'Shaughnessy of the screen. In a custom clamshell box. Later edition, seventh printing. 8vo. Hammett to Bebe Daniels. An extraordinary association copy, inscribed by the author to the female lead of the first film version of his most famous and enduring novel: "For Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels with all good wishes - Dashiell Hammett. Hollywood, August, 1931."
The 1931 film's reputation has been eclipsed by the 1941 John Huston version which starred Humphrey Bogart (the 1931 film starred Ricardo Cortez as Spade) and Mary Astor as Brigid O'Shaughnessy. Daniels married actor Ben Lyon in 1930; the film was released in May, 1931 to very favorable reviews, and its success was a huge boost to Hammett's career.