VAN LOAN, Charles E. Buck Parvin and the Movies [HOLLYWOOD FICTION]. New York: George H. Doran Co., (1915).

Presumed First Edition despite no publisher's colophon. Original red cloth and illustrated dustjacket. 'H' dustjacket art. Illustrated by Arthur William Brown. Very scarce Hollywood themed novel, "its title character a Western actor who has lived many of the parts he plays, 'a moving-picture cowpuncher, acting during every waking moment.' All the stories take place at the Titan studios (possibly based on the Selig studios in Los Angeles) and feature director Jimmy Montague". [Anthony Slide, 'The Hollywood Novel'] Stories include titles about extras, a conceited stage actor, a young actress forced to perform in a water scene after pretending she can swim proficiently, an actor who loses interest in the leading lady, author's who supervise production, a wealthy woman intent on an acting career, and a film set visited by an efficiency expert. Slide erroneously dates this title as published in 1919. Had he known the correct date of 1915, this title would fall within the same year as Edward Clode's novel, The Love Story of a Movie Star, which he describes as the first Hollywood novel for adults. As Clode's novel is set in New York before the movie industry moved west to Hollywood, this may be the first novel to deal with movie making in the town synonymous with its production. Near Fine but for mild bumping to fore-edge of first several leaves, in Very Good dustjacket with shallow chipping at spine ends and flap corners, spine edges with wear, few closed tears.

Price: $850.00