HILTON, James (1900-1954). Lost Horizon. New York: William Morrow & Company, 1933.
8vo. Original blindstamped black cloth, gilt lettered spine, orange top stain (small spot of smudging on upper cover); original dust jacket (professional restoration to rear joint, ends, and a spot on rear panel near upper edge partially affecting text). Provenance: J.C. Cooley (ownership signature dated 1935); Young Books (bookseller’s ticket).
FIRST AMERICAN EDITION, laid in with a 1pp. TLS from Hilton on Chateau Marmont letterhead to Mrs. Edwin F. Schallert, dated 1 April 1936, with original mailing envelope. In it, Hilton writes how he appreciated Schallert’s radio broadcast regarding the upcoming film of the same name. “I know that Capra deserves most of the credit for this, but it was very pleasant to me, as the author of the book, to hear such nice things.” The film, directed by Frank Capra, was met with instant praise, receiving nominations for the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor.