Rare Steinbeck book auctioned for $47,800

A rare edition of “The Grapes of Wrath,” John Steinbeck’s epic 1939 tale of Depression-era poverty, sold at auction for $47,800.

A number of other first-edition copies of Steinbeck works were sold Sunday at an auction held by Bonhams & Butterfields. A copy of “Of Mice and Men” sold for $7,768, “East of Eden” for $8,365 and “In Dubious Battle” for $11,353.