Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey, Grosset & Dunlap Edition, circa 1940

Grey, Zane. Riders of the Purple Sage. A Novel. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1912 (1940s). Illustrated by Douglas Duer. Presented in full gray Moroccan leather with gilt tooling to front board, raised bands, gilt titles, and gilt tooling to spine, new marbled endpaper, and a black slipcase with dust jacket illustration inlaid on the front. 

Presented is a Grosset & Dunlap edition of Riders of the Purple Sage, from the early 1940s. Zane Grey’s best-known novel, Riders of the Purple Sage was originally published in 1912 by Harper & Brothers. Due to its popularity, it was reissued by New York publishers Grosset & Dunlap. It is presented here beautifully rebound, in full gray Moroccan leather with gilt tooling to front board, raised bands, gilt titles, and gilt tooling to spine, new marbled endpaper, and a black slipcase with dust jacket illustration inlaid on the front. 

At the time of first publication, the Western genre had just evolved away from the popular dime novels of the late-nineteenth century and was finding a new audience interested in reading about Americans in their quest to conquer the unruly lawlessness of the West. This story of a gun-slinging avenger who saves a beautiful young woman from forced marriage played a significant role in shaping the new formula of the popular Western genre. Riders of the Purple Sage is a classic tale full of action, violence, sentimentalism, romance, and adventure. As in many Westerns, the description of the landscape also plays a major role and acts almost as a character in itself, sometimes described as dangerous and menacing and at other times providing safety for those who need it. 

Pearl Zane Grey (1872-1939) was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and Westen stories that idealized the American frontier. Riders of the Purple Sage (1912) was his best-selling book. Other popular stories of his include The Mysterious Rider, The Man of the Forest, and Desert Gold. In addition to the commercial success of his printed works, many of his stories had second lives and continued influence when adapted as films and television productions. His novels and short stories have been adapted into 112 films, two television episodes, and a television series, “Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater.” 

CONDITION: 

Very good condition. Presented in full gray Moroccan leather with gilt tooling to front board, raised bands, gilt titles, and gilt tooling to spine, new marbled endpaper. Interior pages are very healthy, with only light toning. The book is illustrated throughout. Presented with a new black slipcase with dust jacket illustration inlaid on the front. 

Book Dimensions: 7 3/4" H x 5 3/8" W x 1 1/2" D.  Slipcase Dimensions: 8 1/8" H x 5 3/4" W x 1 15/16" D.