The Naked and The Dead
by Mailer, Norman
Acclaimed as a successful expression of the futility of war, Norman Mailer's The Naked and the Dead follows the story of an army platoon of foot soldiers fighting for the possession of the Japanese-held island of Anopopei during World War II. The novel, which embodies wartime disillusionment, is partly based on Mailer’s own experiences with the 112th Cavalry in the Pacific. Through its four parts, The Naked and the Dead addresses themes of loneliness, death of fear and dying, and brotherhood. The novel is written in gritty, journalistic detail. However, this tone was dialed back as publishers persuaded Mailer to use to euphemism “fug” in lieu of the mother of all curse words — the “F” word — in his novel.
The Naked and the Dead sold 200,000 copies in its first three months and was a New York Times best seller for over a year. Despite some controversy among critics, the novel remains important in American literature. The Naked and the Dead is ranked 51st on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century. The novel was later adapted into a film of the same name in 1958.
First Edition Identification and Notes
Rinehart & Company first published The Naked and the Dead in 1948. Bound in black cloth, first editions have the Rinehart logo, a script R in a circle, on the copyright page. The dust jacket of first editions state the original retail price of $4.00 along with a review by Stanley Rinehart that begins on the front flap and continues on the back flap. The 721-page novel was produced in a print run of 25,000 copies. Signed first editions have sold for upwards of $7,500.
Other Collectible or Notable Editions
Allan Wingate published the first UK edition of The Naked and the Dead in 1949, while the publisher was still under the direction of Andre Deutsch. This edition, the dust jacket of which features dramatically different cover art, is also highly collectible.
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The Naked and the Dead (Uncorrected proof)
by Mailer, Norman
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- Eureka Books
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- 1948
- ISBN
- 9782811050740
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£8,446.00
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Eureka Books
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- 1948
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- First Edition
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£7,390.25
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THE NAKED AND THE DEAD
by Mailer, Norman
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- TBCL The Book Collector's Library
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- 1948
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- 1st Edition
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£6,334.50
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The Naked and the Dead
by MAILER, Norman
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- Argosy Book Store
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- 1948
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- First
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£6,334.50
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THE NAKED AND THE DEAD
by MAILER, Norman
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- Charles Agvent
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- (1948)
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- Significantly cocked with a vertical concave indent to the spine. Moderate edgewear, short tear to rear cover along spine. An ab
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£5,278.75
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The Naked and The Dead
by Norman Mailer
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- Flying Turtle Productions
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- 1948
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- first
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£2,934.99
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THE NAKED AND THE DEAD
by Mailer, Norman
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- THE FINE BOOKS COMPANY
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- 1948
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- First Edition
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£2,208.21
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The Naked and the Dead
by MAILER, Norman
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- Bartlebys Books
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- 1948
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£2,111.50
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman (1923-2007)
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- MW Books Ltd.
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- 1948
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- 1st edition, 1st issue
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£1,976.36
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Tulsa Books
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£1,900.35
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The Naked and the Dead
by MAILER, Norman
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- Between the Covers- Rare Books, Inc. ABAA
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- 1948
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£1,858.12
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THE NAKED AND THE DEAD
by Mailer, Norman
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- THE FINE BOOKS COMPANY
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- 1948
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Whitmore Rare Books
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- 1948
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- First Edition
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The Naked and the Dead.
by Mailer, Norman
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- Raptis Rare Books
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- 1948
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The Naked and the Dead.
by Mailer, Norman
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- Raptis Rare Books
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- 1948
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£1,520.28
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The Naked and the Dead
by MAILER, Norman
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- 1948
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£1,478.05
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The Naked and the Dead.
by Mailer, Norman
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- Raptis Rare Books
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- 1948
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Cultural Connection
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- 1948
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£1,309.13
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Old New York Book Shop
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- (1948)
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- First Edition
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£1,266.90
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Bookbid Rare Books
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- 1949
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- 1st Edition
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£1,266.90
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The Naked and the Dead
by Norman Mailer
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- Grayshelf Books, IOBA, TXBA
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- 1948
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- Near Fine
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£1,161.33
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THE NAKED AND THE DEAD
by MAILER, Norman
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- Charles Agvent
- Published
- (1948)
- Condition
- Virtually no wear to the boards, the white spine lettering very sharp. The first issue dustwrapper is complete with very light w
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- First Edition
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£1,055.75
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The Naked and the Dead.
by Mailer, Norman
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- Raptis Rare Books
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- 1948
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£1,055.75
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The Naked and the Dead.
by Mailer, Norman
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- Raptis Rare Books
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- 1949
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£1,055.75
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Bookbid Rare Books
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- 1948
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- 1st Edition
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£1,013.52
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The Naked and the Dead
by Norman Mailer
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- Grayshelf Books, IOBA, TXBA
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- 1948
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- ISBN
- 9787022255625
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£907.95
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Evening Star Books
- Published
- 1948
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- Very Good
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- First edition
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£844.60
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The Naked and the Dead
by MAILER, Norman
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- Between the Covers- Rare Books, Inc. ABAA
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- 1948
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£844.60
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The Naked and the Dead.
by Mailer, Norman
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- Raptis Rare Books
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- 2005
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£823.49
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Whitmore Rare Books
- Published
- 1948
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- Near Fine
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- First Edition
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£802.37
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NAKED AND THE DEAD
by Mailer Norman
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- Buddenbrooks, Inc.
- Published
- 1948
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£789.70
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NAKED AND THE DEAD
by Mailer Norman
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- Buddenbrooks, Inc.
- Published
- 1948
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£789.70
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Sanctuary Books
- Published
- 1948
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- Good+
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- First Edition
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£675.68
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Bookbid Rare Books
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- 1948
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£675.68
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The Naked and The Dead
by MAILER, Norman
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- Jeff Hirsch Books, ABAA
- Published
- 1948
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£633.45
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The Naked and the Dead (ARC)
by Mailer, Norman
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- Whitmore Rare Books
- Published
- 1948
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- Very Good
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- First Edition
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£633.45
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Bookbid Rare Books
- Published
- 1948
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- Near Fine
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- 1st Edition
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£633.45
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The Naked and the Dead. (Signed in book)
by Mailer, Norman
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- Thomas Dorn ABAA
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- 1948
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- 1st Edition
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£633.45
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Squid Ink Books
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- 1948
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£633.45
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The Naked and the Dead.
by MAILER, Norman.
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- Peter Ellis bookseller
- Published
- 1949
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£575.00
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THE NAKED AND THE DEAD
by Mailer Norman
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- VAGABOND BOOKS
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- FIRST
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£591.22
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Tulsa Books
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- First Edition
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£422.30
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The Naked and the Dead
by Norman Mailer
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- Appledore Books, ABAA
- Published
- 1948
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- Near Fine
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£422.30
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The Naked and the Dead: A Novel.
by MAILER, Norman.
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- Jeffrey H. Marks Rare Books
- Published
- [1948].
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- One tiny abrasion to front panel (1/4"); light rubbing to edges; tight and sound.
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- Advance copy in wrappers.
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£422.30
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The Naked and the Dead
by Norman Mailer
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- Jeff Bergman Books ABAA/ILAB
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- 1948
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- First Edition
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£422.30
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THE NAKED AND THE DEAD
by Mailer, Norman
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- Revere Books, ABAA & IOBA
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- 1979
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- Fine
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£422.30
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Last Exit Books
- Published
- 1948
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- Very Good in Very Good dust jacket
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- First Edition; First Printing
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£380.07
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Bookbid Rare Books
- Published
- 1948
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- Very Good
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- 1st Edition
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£337.84
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THE NAKED AND THE DEAD.
by Mailer, Norman.
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- Nelson & Nelson, Booksellers (Wise Street Books)
- Published
- 1948
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- G+/P
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£337.84
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The Naked and the Dead
by Mailer, Norman
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- Winthrop and Wales, LLC
- Published
- 1948
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- BOOK VERY GOOD+
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- 1st Edition
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£333.62