Books

New York: The Dial Press, 1963. First Edition. Near Fine/Very Good+. First edition, first printing. Signed by James Baldwin on the half-title page, the author has also written his New York City address on the facing page. Bound in publisher's original cream cloth stamped in red. Near Fine with light wear to corners, a few small spots to the topstain and tanning to the pages, in a Very Good+ unclipped dust jacket with wear to the extremities and creases to the rear flap, fading to the red print on the spine. The African-American novelist's powerful thoughts on race in the U.S. in two essays, an instant bestseller. Signed first printings are scarce.

A classic of the civil rights movement, 'The Fire Next Time' is a powerful evocation of James Baldwin's early life in Harlem and a disturbing examination of the consequences of racial injustice which consists of two essays: 'My Dungeon Shook — Letter to my Nephew on the One Hundredth Anniversary of Emancipation,' and 'Down At The Cross — Letter from a Region of My Mind.'

One way to determine if a copy of 'The Fire Next Time' is a first edition is to look for the publishing details. For Dial Press, the first edition usually states 'First Printing' or 'First Published' along with the year 1963. It may also have a specific cover design or dust jacket that can be attributed to the first edition copies.