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The Greatest Story Ever Told by Fulton Oursler (First Edition with Dust Jacket), 1949 🙏📖🎬

Name: The Greatest Story Ever Told by Fulton Oursler (First Edition with Dust Jacket), 1949 🙏📖🎬
Brand: Wall Antiques
Price: 35.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$35.00

Sale Sold out

1. Introduction 📜🔍

This is a first edition of The Greatest Story Ever Told, a work of religious fiction by Fulton Oursler. Published in 1949, this book is a significant cultural artifact that reflects the mid-20th century's deep and popular engagement with religious themes. With its original dust jacket, this volume is an important piece for any collector of religious literature, post-war Americana, or cinematic history.

2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

The Greatest Story Ever Told is a fictional biography that meticulously and respectfully recounts the life of Jesus Christ. Oursler’s narrative draws primarily from the Gospels but weaves in historical context and traditional Christian elements to create a powerful and accessible story. Written with a "powerful simplicity" and an avoidance of sensationalism, the book was designed to bring the story of Christ to a wide, contemporary audience. It chronicles key events, from the nativity to the resurrection, and became a beloved bestseller that resonated with readers across different faiths.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

Fulton Oursler (1893-1952) was a multifaceted American journalist, editor, and writer who was deeply involved in the world of mystery and detective fiction under the pseudonym Anthony Abbot. His life took a profound turn in 1935 after a tour of the Middle East, which sparked a fervent interest in religion. In 1943, he and his family converted to Roman Catholicism. This spiritual journey culminated in his most famous work, The Greatest Story Ever Told, a book that cemented his legacy as a prominent author of religious literature.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1949, this book is a "time capsule" of the post-World War II era, a period marked by a significant religious revival in the United States. In the wake of a devastating global conflict, many Americans sought comfort and meaning in faith, leading to a surge in the popularity of religious literature and art. Oursler's narrative, with its focus on hope and redemption, was a perfect fit for this cultural moment. It reflects a society grappling with the aftermath of war and seeking a return to traditional values.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is for a collector of American religious history, a student of mid-20th-century cultural movements, or a private library of classic literature. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who appreciates the way a single book can influence a nation's spiritual and creative landscape. The book appeals to a collector who values a volume for its historical context as much as for its physical condition.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a first edition of a best-selling book, this volume is a collectible item. The presence of the original dust jacket, even in a distressed state, adds to its value as a genuine artifact of its time. While the book was widely printed, a first edition from the original publisher with its original jacket is more scarce than a later printing. Its value is not necessarily as an investment piece but as a historical document that speaks to a specific cultural moment. The price reflects this historical significance and the book’s condition.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is in good vintage condition. The hardcover binding is solid and the pages are clean with no extensive markings. The original dust jacket, while present, is in distressed condition, with large tears, scuffs, and some missing pieces. The hardcovers underneath the jacket are well-preserved. This is an honest representation of a book that was read and kept but whose protective jacket shows the effects of time.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book does not contain any personal inscriptions or unique markings. The value is derived from its status as a first edition with its original dust jacket.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

The book was so popular that it was adapted into a 1965 film of the same name, a star-studded cinematic epic that, while not a critical success, became a significant cultural event of its time.
Before his spiritual conversion, Oursler was a close friend and collaborator of the illusionist Harry Houdini and worked with him to expose fraudulent mediums.
In a charming anecdote, Oursler once wrote an essay titled "I Wish I Were an Alcoholic," in which he praised the "charm" and "imagination" of the members of Alcoholics Anonymous, demonstrating his deep empathy for human struggle.

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰