Die Verwandlung.

8vo.

Custom havana half morocco (sl. rubbed), covers with raised strips at fore-edge and spine, with marbl. paper in the centre, blind titled flat spine, 72-[8] pp. (cream cover darkened and without folding flaps, some marg. foxing, traces of old crease in lower part of front cover and 1st quire). Excellent copy, only slightly toned, with irregular bottom edge hardly shaved.

The very rare legendary original book edition, corrected by Kafka (1883-1924), and published only a few weeks after the 1st appearance in the October issue of “Die weisen Blätter”, nos 22/23 of the series “Der jüngste Tag”. "Written between November 17 and December 7, 1912 during the fit of creative passion that also saw the birth of 'Das Urteil' (…) This 'exceptionally repulsive story' is the most sustained work of fiction published during Kafkas lifetime and the one with which his name is most profoundly associated in the common consciousness: it is the story of Gregor Samsas transformation into a giant insect. The strange allegory of alienation - from the self, from one's very body, from the family, and by analogy from society, the state and the whole of mankind - is one of the defining works of the twentieth-century consciousness" (The Breon Mitchell Collection of the Works of Franz Kafka, p. 7). With the famous Expressionist cover illustration by Ottomar Starke (1886-1962), showing a man clutching his head and recoiling in horror in front of an open door (reminiscent of Edvard Munchs "The Scream"). Front cover printed in red and black. Pencil ownership entry "Paul van Ostayen 1917" on verso of last text page (and pencil adress on lower cover). Van Ostayen (1896-1928), then already a major Expressionist poet ("Music-Hall", 1916) had an intense interest in contemporary German Modernist literature. A few pencil marks in text or margin. Ref. Dietz (Kafka) 26. - Raabe/Hannich-Bode (Expressionismus) 146.3. Smolen/Stammerjohann (Der jüngste Tag) 22/23.1.A.2 WG.