The Natural (with Trial Jacket)

New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1952. A near fine copy with some wear to corners; bound in the red cloth variant (in addition to those in blue and gray cloth, without priority). Illustrated jacket with wear to corners, 1 in. splits to joints, and a 1 in. tear at top of rear panel, with tape repair to verso. Despite flaws, a sharp specimen from an alternate history of American book design.. First Edition. Octavo. A remarkable copy of Malamud's classic first book, featuring a trial version of the now-iconic jacket design—printed before-letters in blue, rather than green, colorway. Accompanied by typescript letter signed by Gerald N. Greenberg of Harcourt, Brace and Company, suggesting that the jacket was likely used on a sample copy.