THE SEA OF GRASS

New York:  Alfred A. Knopf, 1937.  149pp.  Original decorative cloth.  Copyright page reads: “First & second printing before publication”. This indicates the publisher was successful in promoting the book and had more orders before the actual publication date than the first printing would cover. There is considerable debate in the book world whether this should be considered a first edition.  Externally a very good+ copy. Internally, there are light brown tracks on some pages that appear to have been made when the paper passed through the rollers.  This appears to have occurred with some copies of the early editions.  The dust jacket is chipped, shows general wear and some soiling, overall good-. Dobie/Dykes 44&44 #41:   “Mr. Richter is a poet, his prose surging like tall grass on illimitable plains under the winds of day and night.  His best novel, excitable with plot interest, is built around the decline and fall of a mighty cattle king.”  Dykes, Western High Spots p.36:  “….is an absolute cow country classic.”  Powell, Heart of the Southwest 92:  “The setting is a great ranch of grazing land in West Texas, encroached on by nesters, and the story is of the unyielding baronial rancher’s inability to hold a high-spirited young wife…”  Richter lived in New Mexico from 1928 to 1950 and his research and experiences supplied materials for several of his books of which this is considered one of the best.