THE ABYSMAL BRUTE

1913. New York: The Century Company, 1913. 1 page undated ads. Original light green cloth decorated in dark green and black, with dust jacket.

First Edition of London's prizefighting tale about "a white backwoods giant who would rather read Browning than slug his opponents" [Sinclair], prompted by his coverage of the Johnson-Jeffries fight in Reno. The very title of this book indicates London's preoccupation with the concept of the "brute" which underlies the social behavior of men and animals alike. London had recently left Macmillan in a dispute over royalties, but would find Century to be much less patient or understanding; he ultimately (truncated) had to beg his former publisher to take him back. THE ABYSMAL BRUTE includes a frontispiece by Gordon Grant. This copy is in the second binding state, which is identical to the first except for color, and is in fine condition. The three-color pictorial dust jacket shows a man carrying a rifle with a buck slung over his shoulder; this jacket is near-fine, with a couple of small chips at the top corners of the spine (not affecting print). Sisson & Martens p. 70; Blanck 11945. (Inventory #: 12708)