About this Item
Collectible first US edition of Michael Arlen's The Green Hat, Dikran Kuyumjian here writing as Michael Arlen. Per Doran's practice of designating first editions, a GHD colophon appears under the copyright date on the copyright page, and a title list on the half title page verso includes this title and four additional titles, all published earlier. Notably, however, the dust jacket presents a significant challenge. The front panel notes that two editions have been published, this one, titled the Iris March edition, and another, titled the Gold Edition, which also included Arlen's other books, all bound uniformly in black cloth with gilt lettering - a total of six volumes listed on the back panel. The difficulty is that one of the six titles on the back panel (May Fair) was first published in 1925, a year later than The Green Hat. Since the book itself possesses all necessary first printing issue points, it would seem probable that the dust jacket represents a second state, reissued to include the appearance of the later Gold Edition and applied to Iris March first printings. In any case, the dust jacket is rare. The Green Hat was Arlen's breakout book, wildly popular in its time - in fact, topping the US best seller lists at number one for some weeks - and the basis for two motion pictures, 1928's A Woman of Affairs starring Greta Garbo and 1934's Outcast Lady starring Constance Bennett. Both films altered controversial plot points in the novel concerning homosexuality and venereal disease. Arlen became quickly and widely imitated by other writers, his style so distinctive that it triggered coinage of the term "Arlenesque." Complete as issued. Bound in dark green textured cloth with orange lettering. 303 pp. 7 5/8" x 5 1/8". Unusually tight, clean copy with minimal shelf wear and faint toning to internals. Binding colors bright and vivid. Dust jacket in archival Brodart sleeve with correct $2.00 price to spine panel, unmarked throughout, a slightly faded area to the top of the front panel, a small corner crease to bottom of front panel, and light foxing to back panel. A beautiful copy of one of the 20th century's most important novels in an intact dust jacket. Photographs of or additional information about this item are available on request. All inquiries answered promptly.
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