It's a Cinch, Private Finch [Collection]

Stein, Ralph and Harry Brown

Published by New York Whittlesey House 1943, 1943

About this Item

1st Edition. 39 original ink and watercolour illustrations, measuring 12"x 20" on thick watercolour paper. Illustration #46 is signed and dated; the illustration done on the half page is also signed. Some of the illustrations are soiled, but most of them are fairly clean. Also included, two copies of It's a Cinch, Private Finch--a presentation copy that has a gift inscription from Stein to his wife and the trade edition. The artist's copy is bound in red pebbled leather with gold gilt decorations to front board, gilt lettering and five raised bands to spine. Gift inscription from Stein to his wife, Muriel, as well as a small, goofy cartoon on the ffep. The other copy of this title being offered is bound in grey cloth with yellow lettering to front board and spine. Bright red illustrated dust jacket is present, with several small tears to top and bottom edges, chips and tears to spine and minor fading from the sun. Internally, the books are the same, with many wonderful full page B&W illustrations. This unique collection contains Ralph Stein's original illustrations for It's a Cinch, Private Finch. Stein manages to use his humourous cartoons to depict the entire process of becoming a solider; from receiving the draft letter in the bathtub, to performing humiliating tasks during basic training, eating questionable looking food in the mess hall, and eventually ends with Private Finch finishing training and boarding a train. During World War II, Ralph Stein (1909-1994) was the staff cartoon editor for the U.S. Army magazine "Yank". It was also during this time that Stein and co-creator, Harry Brown, created the incredibly humourous It's A Cinch, Private Finch, surely based off of their own experiences during basic training.

Seller Inventory # 140897

Bibliographic Details

• Title: It's a Cinch, Private Finch [Collection]
• Publisher: New York Whittlesey House 1943
• Publication Date: 1943
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: very good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Military History