Item #966 Die Verwandlung [The Metamorphosis]. Franz Kafka.

Die Verwandlung [The Metamorphosis]

FIRST EDITION of Kafka’s The Metamorphosis; the rare wrappers issue in outstanding condition.

With the famous illustration by Ottomar Starke on the front wrapper. Kafka was adamant that the illustration not depict a bug, writing in a letter to the publishing house: “"The insect itself must not be illustrated by a drawing. It cannot be shown at all, not even from a distance."

Leipzig: Kurt Wolff, 1915. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers (dated 1916 as usual) over olive paper covers; custom cloth box. With three ad leafs at rear. A spot of discoloration and two pencil notations at base of front wrapper. A magnificent copy, extremely rare in such fine condition.

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