THE MOON IS DOWN by Steinbeck, John - 1942

1942. A Novel. New York: The Viking Press, 1942. Original blue cloth lettered in silver, with dust jacket. First Edition, clothbound issue (there were also 700 copies in wrappers). This is a tale of an invading army's occupation of a small town in Northern Europe -- written (with an adaptation for the theatre in mind) at the request of the OSS, with the aim of motivating resistance movements across Europe. (The country occupied is not named, but for this book Steinbeck received from the King of Norway the King Haakon VII Freedom Cross; the book was quickly translated and published in many countries, including an illegal edition by the French Resistance.) This is a standard Viking Press copy, with no mention of other presses on the copyright page, and with the extra period on page 112. The volume is in fine condition; the pictorial dust jacket is very good-plus, with very minor wear and darkening. Goldstone & Payne A16b.