The Epic of the Wheat. THE PIT

1903. A Story of Chicago. New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1903. Original red cloth decorated in gilt.

First Edition, first printing (with the J.J. Little device and "First Edition" on the copyright page). This was the second volume in Norris's planned trilogy on human suffering and sacrifice, "The Epic of the Wheat." THE OCTOPUS (1901) had described the struggle between wheat farmers and the railroad interests in California, and THE PIT then follows the same wheat through the manipulation of the commodity markets in Chicago. The third volume, which would have been titled THE WOLF, was going to follow the wheat to its destination, relieving a famine in Europe. However, Norris died in 1902 (after an appendix operation, at age 32), so the third volume was never written. This copy is in the standard bright red cloth binding (there were also "presentation copies" in grey paper boards), and is in bright, near-fine condition (one small mark on the rear cover). Blanck 15038; a Johnson High Spot (though most would place THE OCTOPUS at least on a par with THE PIT).