Sanctuary
New York: Jonathan Cape & Harrison Smith, 1931.
First edition, first printing. [iv], 380 pp. Bound in publisher's burgundy paper-covered boards over gray spine cloth lettered in burgundy, black topstain, patterned endpapers matching jacket motif. Very light scuffing to rear board, else Fine unread condition. In a Near Fine unclipped ($2.50) dust jacket with sunned spine panel, very light edgewear including soft horizontal crease near lower edge of front panel, faint offsetting from endpapers to flaps, and penciled bookseller inscription to rear flap.
A sensational copy of Faulkner's sensational breakthrough novel, a Southern Gothic tale of rape, incest and murder. When he first sent the manuscript to Harrison Smith in the summer of 1929, the publisher rejected it with: "Good God, I can't publish this. We'll both be in jail." Smith changed his mind the following year, after the onset of the Great Depression made him eager for anything that would sell. Sell it did: the book appeared in February 1931 and went through six printings in as many months. Stephen Roberts toned down his 1933 film adaptation The Story of Temple Drake, but it was still salacious enough to horrify critics and do well at the box office. William H. Hays hated it.
Price: $12,500