Description
First edition, first printing of Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett, in the first state dust jacket.
Octavo, [viii], 270pp, [1]. Publisher’s red cloth, spine decoratively stamped in black and yellow with title in red, skull and crossbones on front cover. No additional printings on copyright page. Top edge stained green, untrimmed fore edge. The occasional finger mark, previously erased ownership inscription on front free endpaper, a fine example in all respects. Housed in a custom black leather clamshell, title over red leather label on spine. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, with the plot synopsis on rear panel as opposed to reviews by The Bookman and others. This near fine jacket is unrestored, with shallow chipping at top edge of spine, closed tear at front hinge, two marks to front panel, bright illustrations and vibrant colors on the spine. (Layman A1.1.a) An exceptional piece.
The first book from Dashiell Hammett, Red Harvest was originally serialized in four parts in Black Mask magazine, from November 1927-February 1928. The first edition in book form was released in February 1929, followed by a second printing in March 1930.
