SHE DONE HIM WRONG (Diamond Lil). From 1932, Mae West’s own novelization of her Broadway play, Diamond Lil, that made her famous. The story was filmed starring West in 1933, under the title She Done Him Wrong. This hardcover first printing is inscribed by West on the first page with the usual salutation when signing her writing: “Compliments / of the Author — / Mae West”. This is not the later photoplay edition. There are no stills from the film (which had yet to be made). The title “She Done Him Wrong (Diamond Lil)” appears on the title page, but only “Diamond Lil” appears on the book’s covers and jacket — indicating that the novel was in the process of having its name changed to match the planned film. The jacket is a plain sheet of brown paper. It appears that this is a later jacket, with the spine from the original jacket glued on. The spine indicates “Diamond Lil / Mae West / Signed by author”. The book is in fair condition. The spine plate is a little chipped about the edges; the jacket also has some creasing to the front flap; no tears. The book’s covers are soiled and worn, with some sunning to the spine. The first two pages are almost detached and have a horizontal crease in the middle (it appears someone may have tried to remove the signed page, then thought better of it). The blank last page is missing, and the last page of text has a tear on the inside margin. There are remnants of what I believe is the original jacket flap glued to the inside rear cover. The text has some scattered soiling and is toned with age. I find no other first online, and this is the only signed copy for which I can find any record. Own a unique collector’s item at a bargain price. Measures 5.25″ X 7.75″, 256 pages. The item “MAE WEST SIGNED SHE DONE HIM WRONG Diamond Lil, RARE 1932 1st, Autograph Novel” is in sale since Thursday, April 11, 2019. This item is in the category “Books\Antiquarian & Collectible”. The seller is “cgbooks” and is located in Idyllwild, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Year Printed: 1932
- Modified Item: Yes
- Topic: Movie
- Binding: Hardcover
- Author: Mae West
- Subject: Performing Arts
- Personalized: No
- Original/Facsimile: Original
- Language: English
- Modification Description: signed
- Character Family: Diamond Lil
- Signed: Yes
- Publisher: Macaulay
- Place of Publication: New York
- Special Attributes: Signed
