Lot 143
North America, United States, ca. 1933 CE. A quietly magnificent survivor of Hollywood and publishing history, this first edition of "A Man of Two Worlds" carries far more than its printed narrative between the boards. Published in Indianapolis by The Bobbs-Merrill Company in 1933, the novel by Ainsworth "Jack" Morgan and Howard J. Green explores cultural collision and longing through the story of an Arctic explorer and his Inuit guide, Aigo, who is pulled from the ice into the social labyrinth of London, love, and displacement. The theme feels uncannily prescient, and here it is amplified by provenance that turns the book into an artifact of lived performance. This is Francis Lederer's personal copy, his name stamped discreetly at the lower right of the green leather binding. Size: 6" L x 2" W x 8.25" H (15.2 cm x 5.1 cm x 21 cm)
Lederer, who portrayed Aigo in the 1934 RKO film adaptation, received the book directly from Morgan, who inscribed the title page: "To Francis Lederer: With thanks and gratitude for having brought Aigo so brilliantly to life," followed by affectionate Hungarian phrases and signed, with date, "Ainsworth Morgan / 'Jack' to you! / Nov. 14th 1933." The moment is intimate, professional, and theatrical all at once.
The opening pages read like a roll call from a soundstage rather than a library shelf. Signed by director, assistant directors, cameramen, electrician, sound, script clerk, property, wardrobe, cutter, technical staff, make-up, still camera, dogs, and cast, the book becomes a time capsule of early studio filmmaking. Cast signatures include Elissa Landi as Joan Pemberton, J. Farrell MacDonald, Henry Stephenson as Sir Basil Pemberton, Forrester Harvey, Ivan F. Simpson, Lumsden Hare, Christian Rub, Emile Chautard, Steffi Duna, and Sarah Padden. The coauthor Howard J. Green has also signed, completing the constellation. More than a first edition, this volume is a backstage pass pressed into leather and paper. It captures a moment when story, performance, and personal gratitude overlapped, before credits rolled and the Arctic cold gave way to studio lights.
Provenance: private collection of important Hollywood family, Los Angeles, California, USA, collected between 1930 and 1980
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SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#199081
- Condition: Signed pages have been taken from another book and bound in this one; likely done by Lederer. Scuffs and fading to cover as well as some discoloring to pages with minor tattering to edges. Otherwise, in excellent condition with script, signatures, and inscription very clear.
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