Catcher in the Rye, The – J. D. Salinger
VG Early Book Club

For sale is a Very Good presumed First Book Club Edition, of “The Catcher in the Rye” by J. D. Salinger, with no dust jacket.

The book is a Little Brown First Edition unstated, with 1951 and the publisher’s name only on the title page, the author’s 1951 copyright on the copyright page and no subsequent dates or printings and no Book Club Edition statement. This is the presumed first Book Of the Month Club Edition with no gutter code and two rare inserts: Inserted is the Fadiman BOMC review in Like New condition. Also inserted is the original owner’s BOMC order form – in complete condition, which is rare because most people cut off the right “stub” to make the purchase. This order form is only in VG condition because the right edge is yellowed and brittle with some chips and gaps, because it is 1/4″ longer than the Fadiman insert which protected it for 50 years. The receipt price is $3.29 and both the customer address and the Book Club return address have no zip codes.

The exterior of this hardcover edition is in very good condition. The black boards have a pretty strong sheen with a few spots and a damp section on the lower spine and rear board near the small book club dimple. The top page blocks has a small damp stain, but the side and bottom blocks are clean and lightly toned. The title gilt is moderately strong and the binding is tight with some puckering. There is a mild spine tilt, and the top spine end is completely frayed off. There is mild edge wear and the corners are rubbed and rounded. Inside the book is in very good condition, with  no marks, inscriptions, or any other signs of ownership. The end papers and the interior pages are clean and lightly toned – but all the pages have a partially creased upper corner, from the rounded corners.

No dust jacket.