Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck - Lettered Edition

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A seminal work of American literature beloved by generations, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a powerful exploration of the fragility of dreams and the resilience of the human spirit. 

Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, Of Mice and Men follows two migrant workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, as they dream of owning their own ranch while navigating the harsh realities of life in 1930s America. With its evocative prose, vivid characters, and haunting themes of loneliness and longing, Steinbeck’s masterpiece continues to captivate readers and provoke meaningful discussions about friendship, loyalty, sacrifice and the pursuit of happiness.

First published on February 6, 1937, Of Mice and Men attained the greatest positive response of any of Steinbeck’s works up to that time. The novella was chosen as a Book of the Month Club selection before it was even published. Nearly every review praised the future Nobel Prize winning author for his mastery of the craft. In one of its earliest reviews, The Chronicle called it, “A simple story, one that combines a curious dreamlike quality with the swift streamlining of a good play. It is a story that will sweep you irresistibly with it, too. Steinbeck has done such a masterly job of storytelling that you feel the horror that is ahead even before it begins to grow. You see the fate that is going to overtake these men and their dream.”

Of Mice and Men also represents an experiment in form. Steinbeck described his work as “a kind of playable novel, written in novel form but so scened and set that it can be played as it stands.” As such, Of Mice and Men has achieved remarkable success as a novel, a Broadway play and several acclaimed films.

With its enduring and moving message on the unbreakable bonds of friendship and the cruelties of a hostile world, Of Mice and Men continues to move readers with its profound insights into the complexities of what it means to be human.

The fine press limited edition of Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is presented in three states: Lettered, Numbered and Artist editions.

LETTERED EDITION

• 6" x 9" trim size.
• 144 Pages.
• Limited to 26 copies.
• Signed by William Souder and James Ransome.
• Full goatskin binding with a die-cut vellum onlay depicting a rabbit on the front and back cover. The eye on the front cover is a turquoise round cabochon gemstone, and the eye on the back cover is a black onyx cabochon gemstone.
• Spine features a leather foil stamped label between two raised bands. 
  
• New exclusive afterword by prize-winning author & journalist William Souder.
• Seven watercolor illustrations by multi-award-winning artist James Ransome are printed giclée on beautiful Hahnemühle Bugra and are tipped on.
  
• Designed by Mark Argetsinger in Monotype Bulmer; the type was cast in metal and printed letterpress on handmade Twinrocker paper by David Wolfe, Isak Applin and Claire Christensen at Wolfe Editions in Portland, Maine. 
• Titles are hand set in foundry type.
  
• Endsheets are hand marbled by Emily Romero. 
  
• Housed in a Japanese cloth covered clamshell enclosure with a leather spine and label. 
  
• Bookmark with all pre-orders.

Published editions may differ slightly from mockups and prototype designs.
Illustrations © 2021 by James Ransome.