Go Tell It on the Mountain (First Edition, Ex-Library)

First edition, first printing of Baldwin’s first novel, published in 1953 by Alfred A. Knopf. 8vo, original rust cloth with gilt lettering and Baldwin’s facsimile signature stamped in gilt to front board; blue topstain. With a facsimile of the first-edition dust jacket. A foundational work of postwar American literature and the novel that established Baldwin as a major American writer.

Ex-library from the Queens Borough Public Library, with library stamp to top edge and stamp at foot of title page. Approximately ¼-inch hole at lower title page from an apparent attempt to remove the library marking, affecting the copyright leaf behind; one rear free endpaper removed, presumably with the former library pocket, with residual evidence of removal to rear pastedown. No original dust jacket. Despite these defects, an unusually presentable ex-library copy: binding square and firm, cloth clean and bright, gilt strong, blue topstain well preserved, and contents otherwise generally clean. A genuine first printing of Baldwin’s landmark debut, supplied with a facsimile first-edition dust jacket.