THE OX-BOW INCIDENT

New York: Random House, 1940. Near fine in like dust jacket.. Signed first edition, first printing of this western-framed exploration of mob mentality and justice, adapted into an Oscar-nominated western-noir film starring Henry Fonda. THE OX-BOW INCIDENT was Walter Van Tilburg Clark's first novel, and his greatest success. In it, he crafts what could be called a "psychological western," as internal and external influences on morality and justice collide with misinformation and emotion. "Its form is that of the traditional western," writes historian Frederic I. Carpenter, "but its idea is that of a morality play." The 1943 Hollywood adaptation, starring Henry Fonda, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture; THE BOSTON GLOBE describes its "gripping plot" as "calculated to foster terror."
This first edition, with its glowing jacket-flap recommendation of the book and prediction that it "will be read by many people who ordinarily would never dream of taking up a 'Western' story," is an excellent copy, signed in the year of publication. 8'' x 5.25''. Original tan buckram binding with blue and gilt lettering to spine. Original unclipped ($2.00) color pictorial dust jacket with Random House bookmark intact on rear flap. Blue topstain. 310 pages. Signed by Clark to front flyleaf, dated "Sept. 25, 1940." Owner's name to front flyleaf. Dust jacket with small abrasion to front panel including a tiny hole, light toning to spine. Binding with some toning to spine. Much nicer than typically seen.