Saint Katy the Virgin

New York: Covici Friede, 1936. STEVENS, Ashton. Full Description:

STEINBECK, John. Saint Katy the Virgin. [New York: Covici Friede, 1936].

First edition, one of 199 numbered copies signed by Steinbeck, this being number 46. Twelvemo (6 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches; 165 x 115 mm). [4], 25, [1, limitation page] pp. Half-title printed in red. Page 1 printed in red and black. Printed from Estienne type on Perusia hand made paper. This copy does not contain the "Merry Christmas" slip, sometimes found in this title.

Original quarter brown cloth over gold, white and orange printed boards. Spine lettered in orange. Edges uncut. In publisher's original chipped glassine. Some rubbing to head and tail of spine and along board edges. Foxing and toning to front and rear endpapers, and slightly to title. Still a very good copy. Housed in a custom quarter morocco clamshell.

"Roark is a bad man. His pig is a bad pig. They match in devilish temperament and violent deeds. Roark laughs at a drowned monk; his pig eats its own young and turns a boar sterile. As a spiteful tithe, the pig is given to the local monastery. The pig becomes a Christian. The pig is Saint Katy the Virgin. Fantastical and farcical, this short story parodies religious tropes and stereotypes. With a lively imagination and piercing wit, John Steinbeck delivers an absurd tale that amuses and entertains whilst asking powerful, revealing questions." (Good Reads)

Goldstone & Payne A6a.

HBS 69033.

$3,500.