Eliot, Marc (Grant, Cary)

Cary Grant: A Biography

ISBN: 140005026X
New York, NY, USA: Harmony Books, 2004. First Edition. Hardcover. "He is Hollywood's most fascinating and timeless star. Although he came to personify the debonair American, Cary Grant was born Archibald Leach on January 18, 1904, in the seaport village of Bristol, England. Combining the captivating beauty of silent-screen legend Rudolph Valentino with the masculine irresistibility of Clark Gable, Grant emerged as Hollywood's quintessential leading man. Today, "the man from dream city," as critic Pauline Kael once described him, remains forever young, an icon of quick wit, romantic charm, and urbane sophistication, the epitome of male physical perfection. Yet beneath the idealized movie image was a conflicted man struggling to balance fame with a desire for an intensely private life separate from the "Cary Grant" persona celebrated by directors and movie studios." (from front flap) The acclaimed biography of Cary Grant (b. Archibald Leach, 1904-1986), the iconic British-American film actor, by Marc Eliot, the popular & prolific American biographer & cultural writer. The first full & intimate portrayal of the real life behind the silver-screen legend to be published after his death, this volume remains fascinating & somewhat controversial twenty years since its initial appearance as of this writing. With a section of historical photographs depicting Grant & Co., as well as relevant images at frontispiece & preceding each part-chapter. Hardcover in unclipped first-issue dust jacket (with $25.95 price printed at front flap, "9/04" at rear flap), "First Edition" as stated at copyright page, first printing as indicated by number sequence thereon. From the collection of Barbara (1935-2023) & Irving (1933-2018) Nusbaum, world travellers, connoisseurs, eminent collectors of art & books- the dearly beloved parents of this grieving writer. The Nusbaums were especially enamored with Grant's suavity (no matter his predicament or situation) on screen, & delighted in watching his classic films. We found & have retained, between pgs. 54-55, two relics: A vintage bookmark from the late beloved Borders Books, in fine condition with some mild creases & edgewear; & the original receipt from the Nusbaums' purchase of this & other items, with the Borders logo & dated the same month/year as when it was first published. Two strips stapled & folded once horizontally, in near-fine condition with mild edge/corner wear & some browning/fading. An enjoyable & essential collectible Grant Biography in its rarest contemporary form, with distinguished provenance. See also our item No. 6322. Book in very fine condition with only the slightest touch of wear at edges & corners of front, back covers & spine; otherwise appearing substantially mint inside & out. Dust jacket very fine with only a hint of rubbing, faint scratching to front, back covers & spine; a few tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of same & flaps. An extra handling fee of $1.00 will be added for shipping due to the size and weight of this item. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #6979]

Price: $50.00