Steinbeck, John | Cup of Gold—a fine first edition of the author's first novel

Steinbeck, John

Cup of Gold. A Life of Henry Morgan, Buccaneer. With Occasional Reference to History. New York: Robert M. McBride & Co., 1929

8vo. Half-title. Publisher’s yellow cloth lettered in black, top edge stained blue, pictorial dust-jacket; jacket with some minor wear, small chips and creases at edges and folds, some sunning to spine. House in green cloth clamshell case.

First edition, first issue, of Steinbeck’s first book.

‘“The most human of all human traits is inconsistency,” he thought. “It is a shock to learn this thing, almost as great a shock to a man as the realization of his humanity. And why must we learn that last? In all the mad incongruity, the turgid stultiloquy [sic] of life, I felt, at least, securely anchored to myself…”’

John Steinbeck worked his way through Stanford University, never graduating, and moved from California to New York in 1925, where he attempted to earn a living by writing. Cup of Gold was his first published novel, but it failed to earn back the modest publisher’s advance. The first issue in the correct dust jacket (priced $2.50) is rare, with only 1,537 copies being issued.

Cup of Gold, about the life of Captain Morgan (of spiced rum fame), is said to have inspired Seagram’s then-CEO, Sam Bronfman, to create the brand in 1944. Sir Henry Morgan was born in Wales, likely Cardiff or Monmouthshire, around 1635. A privateer and plantation owner, he became Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, and acquired his fortune by—along with those he commanded—raiding shipping ports along the Spanish Main. His charismatic mix of confident leadership and roguish deceit made him an ideal figure for the young Steinbeck to explore and fictionalize.

A bright, clean copy of a great Steinbeck rarity.

REFERENCE:

Goldstone and Payne A1a