Description
For sale: a Rare and Exceptional first edition, first printing paperback copy of The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny by Bertolt Brecht. First Edition described, 1976 David R. Godine. First Printing with no subsequent printing. Translated by W. H. Auden .
The exterior of this paperback edition is in Very Good condition, with clean, illustrated covers with no creases, clean page blocks, moderate to heavy surface wear, strong title on a sunned spine, a tight binding with no spine cracks, rubbed spine ends, heavy edge wear and rounded corners. The interior of the book is also in Very Good condition with a mall date stamp and the ghost of an erased price on the first free end paper. No other marks, inscriptions, or other signs of ownership inside. The end papers and the interior pages are clean and bright, making it an excellent addition to any collection.
Brecht’s operatic play produced with Hauptmann, Neher and Weill was first staged in 1930. The story is that three criminals create the city of Mahagonny. Drinking, gambling, prize-fights and similar activities are the sole occupation of the inhabitants, and money rules. Mahagonny is threatened by a hurricane at the end of Act 1, which despite much anticipation and causing much distress simply bypasses the city. In Act 2 following the hurricane nothing is forbidden and various scenes of debauchery occur. Jenny and Jim try to leave but Jim cannot pay his debts and is arrested. Another character arraigned for murder, bribes his way out of it, but Jim has no money and is condemned to death for not paying for his whisky. The opera ends with discontent destroying the city, which burns as the inhabitants march away.
Ships promptly in corrugated mailer with book wrapped in both craft paper and multiple layers of bubble wrap.
