Scarface.

TRAIL, Armitage. [Al Pacino].

Item Number: 149567

New York: A. L. Burt Company, 1930.

First edition of Trail’s sensational American organized crime novel, the basis for one of the greatest gangster films ever made directed by Brian De Palma, written by Oliver Stone and starring Al Pacino. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Boldly signed by Al Pacino on the front free endpaper. Al Pacino’s performance in Scarface (1983) has been widely regarded as one of the most powerful and defining in American cinema. By the time he took on the role of Tony Montana, Pacino had already established himself as a leading actor through critically acclaimed performances in The Godfather, Serpico, and Dog Day Afternoon. Pacino’s decision to pursue the role was driven by his admiration for the 1932 film Scarface, particularly the portrayal of the protagonist, Tony Camonte, and the character’s rise to power. Pacino approached producer Martin Bregman with the concept of adapting the story to reflect the socio-political dynamics of 1980s Miami, during the peak of the cocaine trade. His interpretation of Montana as a Cuban immigrant who ascends the criminal world through a combination of violence, ambition, and ruthlessness was marked by a heightened intensity, with Pacino adopting a more physically dynamic and expressive style. While Scarface received mixed reviews at the time of its release, its portrayal of excess, ambition, and moral decay eventually resonated with audiences, and Pacino’s performance became integral to the film’s transformation into a cult classic. Very good in the rare original dust jacket which is in very good condition. Jacket design by Edward C. Caswell. We have never seen another signed example.

Published in 1930, Armitage Trail's controversial novel Scarface served as the basis for both the 1932 film directed by Howard Hawks and the 1983 remake directed by Brian De Palma. Set in Prohibition-era Chicago, the book followed Antonio “Tony” Camonte, a violent and ambitious gangster whose rapid ascent through the criminal underworld reflected broader themes of power, corruption, and the darker side of the American Dream. Trail depicted Tony as a figure driven by an unrelenting desire for dominance, wealth, and recognition—qualities that ultimately led to his downfall. The novel was heavily influenced by contemporary organized crime, particularly the rise of figures like Al Capone, and was notable for its candid portrayal of violence and moral ambiguity. Trail’s prose was spare and direct, mirroring the urgency and brutality of the world he described. While the book received limited attention compared to the films it inspired, it played a significant role in shaping early American gangster fiction. Scarface introduced a prototype of the antihero that would later become central to the genre, laying the groundwork for future depictions of criminal ambition and societal collapse.