WRIGHT, Harold Bell (1872-1944) and John Lebar - The Devil's Highway

New York, D. Appleton, 1932. First Edition. Hardcover. First Printing, with the number (1) in parenthesis on the final page. 8vo; [6], 336pp. Publisher's crimson cloth, the spine and upper cover lettered in gilt; in the original illustrated dust jacket priced at $2.00. A Near Fine or better copy, very lightly rubbed and dust-soiled; in a just about Fine, lightly edge-worn jacket. Little read today, the novels of Harold Bell Wright outsold those of every other American writer during the first quarter of the twentieth century. Newspapers of the day claimed Wright was the first author to write a novel that reached a million sales, and the statement cannot be far wrong. (The Devil's Highway, on the other hand, sold very few copies, making it today one of the most difficult of Wright's titles to obtain, in any condition.) John Lebar was the pen name of Wright's oldest son, Gilbert Munger Wright. In the Devil's Highway, they launched a scathing attack on "scientism," the belief that, in due coarse, all human misery will be solved by science. As such, the book can be seen as an attack on Nazism, Fascism and Communism, all then taking root, and more broadly on any effort to displace old-fashioned values with modern, scientific ideas. Interestingly, Ronald Reagan was one of Wright's most devoted followers. Note: With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. Near Fine+/Fine-.

See/Hide Conditions of Sale

Following conditions of sale apply:
Terms of Sale

We sell only genuine rare and antiquarian books. Every effort has been made to describe them carefully and accurately, and all are unconditionally guaranteed. Fine Editions Ltd is a member of IOBA and subscribes to that association of online booksellers's codes of ethics.

Payment:
All purchases must be paid in advance by check drawn on a U.S. bank, wire transfer, PayPal, or credit card. Libraries and institutions may arrange deferred billing; credit terms are settlement within 30 days of the date of invoice, unless agreed otherwise at time of sale. Bona fide rare and antiquarian booksellers (in other words, those from whom we might be interested in buying) may deduct their reciprocal discount, provided the account is paid in full by check within 10 days of the date of invoice. New York State residents without a current resale certificate (ST-120) on file will be charged 8.875% sales tax. All items remain the property of Fine Editions Ltd until payment is made in full.

Returns:
Any item may be returned if found unsatisfactory for any reason within 10 days of purchase, with prior notification via email. Refunds are limited to the original purchase price, including initial delivery costs. Returns must be carefully packaged and promptly shipped.

Standard shipping (UPS Media Mail) to any address in the United States is free (for direct website orders only), although oversize books and sets may incur charges. For domestic Priority shipping, add $13.50 for the first item and $2.50 for each additional item (with the exception of oversize items and sets). Delivery confirmation and insurance are provided at our expense. All International orders are sent via airmail, with rate depending on weight and size. Most octavo sized-books can be shipped for $28.50 ($26.50 to Canada and Mexico). Priority Mail International shipping is available, beginning at $65. Books weighing more than three pounds (quarto or folio) and sets will incur additional charges. Delivery confirmation and insurance are included.