Appointment in Samarra (Books into Film, First Edition) by O'Hara, John - 1934

New York: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1934. Advance Review Copy. Wraps. at least Very Good/Very Good. Illustrated self-wraps (i.e. bound by publisher by gluing the first state dust jacket to the spine of the text block), 8vo (8 inches tall), pp. (viii), 301. This first state of the wrappered Presentation Issue precedes the second state, which lacks the "PRESENTATION EDITION" portion of the "PRESENTATION EDITION / NOT TO BE SOLD" statement, found on the special first gathering page of the first issue. Very Good or better in self-wrappers as issued, with the same wrap-around speedster jacket illustration as the dust jacket that was released on the first edition. Volume with a bump to the head of spine and a resultant short crack to the top front hinge, light edge wear and some fraying along bottom edge of jacket, light soil to rear panel. Date stamp of "JUL 30 1934" with a small number notation in ink to ffep - likely placed by the publisher, thus predating Samarra's official publication date of Aug. 16, 1934 by two weeks. A very presentable copy of a scarce and fragile item. Authors first novel and No. 22 on the Modern Library's list of the best 100 novels of the 20th century. The story describes how, over the course of three days, Julian English destroys himself with a series of impulsive acts, culminating in suicide. Features the iconic DJ design of Alfred Maurer. Preceded by only a small shipboard newsletter that O'Hara edited. Ref. Bruccoli, A2.1.a; Ahearn 002b.