First Edition, first issue in half gray cloth over black cloth with orange lettering on the front board and spine; orange topstain and Vail-Ballou Press listed on the copyright page in first issue dust jacket which lacks ads and includes the Steinbeck reference on the inside rear flap and is priced at $4.50. A VERY GOOD copy with general age-toning, bumps to corners and sun-fading of orange topstain, in a GOOD but fragile dustjacket with shelf wear, numerous closed tears, general toning and soiling and large chip adjacent to upper spine. Winner of the 1954 National Book Award.