The Greatest Gift, A Christmas Tale by...
no place: Privately published for distribution to His Friends, 1943, Christmas. Softbound. Orange wraps with applied paper label on front cover. 21 pp., no illustrations. VG, the lightest of a discoloration on the extreme upper left corner of front cover, minimal bending to upper right corner, few tiny dents to cover. Item #143684
An impressive copy of this true first printing of the story that would be later adapted to the iconic Christmastime movie "It's A Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart and directed by Capra. One of the most beloved movies of the 20th century. This copy autographed by Stern on the back page in ink. A better copy will be difficult to find, no auction records and no sales records found for this rarity. A hardcover edition from 1944 has some sales history, this edition no doubt small and intimate in nature. Signed in fountain pen on the last page by the author / publisher. The original story "The Greatest Gift" was written by Philip Van Doren Stern in November 1939 after he received his inspiration from a dream. After being unsuccessful in getting the story published, he decided to make it into a "Christmas card," and mailed 200 copies to family and friends in December 1943. The story came to the attention of RKO producer David Hempstead, who showed it to Cary Grant's Hollywood agent and, in April 1944, RKO Pictures bought the rights to the story for $10,000 hoping to turn the story into a vehicle for Grant.
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