["The Hang of It," in] The Kit Book for Soldiers, Sailors and Marines [with mailing carton]

Chicago: Consolidated Book Publishers [through 1942], 1943. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine-/Very Good+. First Edition, second issue (with 1943 copyright), of this World War II-era collection of "favorite stories, verse and cartoons for the entertainment of servicemen," including Salinger's first appearance in book form. Small 8vo: 336pp, with numerous color and black-and-white cartoon illustrations. Publisher's red, white, and blue pictorial boards (issued without dust jacket), in original pictorial shipping carton. About Near Fine, rubbed with minor loss of color to corners and tips and browning to wartime paper; Very Good or better shipping box (unused), reproducing book's cover image, rubbed along all edges. Not uncommon, except in the shipping carton (as here), very few of which have survived. Slawenski, p. 38. Originally published in the July 12, 1942, issue of Collier's. Salinger's story, "The Hang of It," begins on p. 332, and was carried into battle by countless soldiers." (Slawenski) Also featuring contributions from, among others, Elbert Hubbard, Ellery Queen, O' Henry, Rudyard Kipling, Damon Runyan, and Ernest Thayer ("Casey at the Bat.") N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).