MALAMUD, Bernard

The Natural

First edition. A trifle rubbed, else fine in the red binding (one of three, with no priority established) in very good plus blue trial or proof dustwrapper with a couple of tiny nicks and tears, and a creased tear on the rear panel. This trial jacket employs the same art as the finished jacket art, but is blue instead of green, and the flaps and rear panel are unprinted. Laid into the book is a letter from the publisher addressed to distinguished scholar and bibliographer J.M. Edelstein, confirming that the jacket is a proof or trial jacket, probably used with "a sample copy of the book." Interestingly, the letter also states "of the three binding materials which I mentioned in my last letter to you there is no differentiation in our records..." The author's first book, perhaps the classic baseball novel, and basis for the sugar-coated but nevertheless effective Barry Levinson film featuring Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close and Kim Basinger. A rare and possibly unique copy, with a bibliographically significant letter about the perplexing binding question.

[BTC #103763]