Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison - 1952

First Edition/Stated First Printing; A Near Fine book in a Very Good dust jacket. SIGNED w/o inscription to the title page. An outstanding copy of this classic work of 20th century literature, certainly relevant in today's social climate; winner of the 1953 National Book Award, making Ellison the first African-American to win the award. This copy is in near fine condition with a square, tight binding, clean beige and black boards with light fading to the spine lettering, and clean pages throughout with only minor intermittent foxing; the book does show some mild rubbing to the spine ends and edges, light sunning to the spine, and an effaced label to the front free paper. Housed in a sharp and clean, original, intact very good price clipped dust jacket that shows some minor rubbing, chipping, and creasing to the panel edges with negligible losses and some mild creasing along the flap folds with one closed tear along the front flap fold. Overall, a collectible and presentable copy housed in a handsome custom clamshell case; scarce in this condition and flat signed by the author; provenance for the signature from one of the great auction houses laid in. Not remaindered, not ex-library; in a protective Mylar sleeve and will ship free carefully wrapped in a sturdy box.