Doctor Faustus.

MANN, Thomas.

$3,800.00

Item Number: 77021

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1948.

First American edition of Mann’s classic retelling of the story of Dr. Faustus, the man who sold his soul to the devil for 24 years of health and genius. Octavo, original boards, red topstain. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Joseph Golde thankful for his musical hospitality Chicago 23 Febr. 1950 Thomas Mann.” A few notes in the text from the recipient, near fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by George Salter. Photograph of Mann by Yousuf Karsh. Translated by H.T. Lowe-Porter. Rare and desirable signed and inscribed by the author, as he lived out his remaining years in Switzerland, before passing away in 1955.

Doctor Faustus is a re-shaping of the Faust legend set in the context of the first half of the 20th century and the turmoil of Germany in that period. The story centers on the life and work of the (fictitious) composer Adrian Leverkühn. The narrator is Leverkühn's childhood friend Serenus Zeitblom, who writes in Germany between 1943 and 1946. It was adapted to West German television in Franz Seitz's 1982 starring Jon Finch as Adrian Leverkühn.