THE NATURAL
(1952)
First printing of Malamud's debut novel, inscribed in the year of publication.
Very good plus in very good plus jacket.
Price: $7,500.00
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First printing of Malamud's debut novel, inscribed in the year of publication.
Very good plus in very good plus jacket.
Price: $7,500.00
"Pop glared at him, his head glowing like a red sun. He savagely burst out that not a single blasted one of them here was a true ballplayer. They were sick monkeys, broken-down mules, pigeon-chested toads, slimy horned worms, but not real, honest-to-god baseball players."
A bright and attractive copy of the classic midcentury baseball fantasy, drawing on the American secular mythology of the game as well as the legend of the Fisher King and the quest for the Grail; while the shooting of Roy Hobbs draws on a real historical incident involving a Philadelphia player. The basis for the acclaimed 1984 film starring Robert Redford and still the best-known of Malamud's works. Uncommon signed, and scarce inscribed.
First edition (stated). New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, (1952). 8'' x 5.25''. Original gray cloth with gilt-lettered spine. In original unclipped ($3.00) dust jacket. Issued with gray, red, and blue boards; no priority established. 237, [1] pages. Pen inscription to front free endpaper: "For Fred / with all good wishes / Cordially / Bern / August 1952". Boards lightly sunned and worn at extremities; front joint with minor crack starting. Minor edgewear to jacket, with a few creases and small closed tears to upper edge. Faint soiling to rear panel.
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