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First edition, first printing, extremely rare presentation copy, inscribed by the author to the teenage son of his childhood friend Ada on the front free endpaper: "To Charles Kirtz with every good wish from J. D. Salinger (extra greetings to Ada and Victor from Sonny Salinger) New York 10/18/56". This is an exceptional rarity: signed or inscribed copies by the reclusive author are legendarily rare. The informal sign-off, "Sonny", was the nickname given to Salinger by his parents when he was born. Salinger, who grew up alongside Ada and her brother Victor in the same New York apartment house, presented Ada's sons, Charles (then around the same age as Holden Caulfield) and William, each with an inscribed first edition. He passed on the copies to the boys via Ada's mother, Ann, whose bookplate is on the front pastedown. An inscribed copy of Catcher in the Rye is perhaps the most elusive prize in 20th-century literature. Auction records show only one appearance of an inscribed first edition (at Doyle in 2010). Octavo. Original black cloth, spine lettered in gilt. With dust jacket, designed by Michael Mitchell. Housed in a red quarter morocco solander box by the Chelsea Bindery. A fine copy, in a lovely example of the dust jacket, spine panel mildly toned, extremities lightly rubbed and nicked, unclipped, the notoriously fugitive red exceptionally bright and fresh.

"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger, a seminal novel published in 1951, narrates the existential journey of Holden Caulfield, a disenchanted sixteen-year-old. Expelled from his prestigious prep school, Pencey Prep, Holden embarks on a three-day odyssey in New York City before facing his parents with news of his dismissal. Holden is a troubled and introspective youth, deeply troubled by the phoniness and artificiality he perceives in the adult world. His narrative is marked by a mix of cynicism, vulnerability, and an acute longing for authenticity. Throughout the story, he struggles to come to terms with the adult world, which he perceives as insincere and superficial. Holden's yearning for genuine human connections leads him on a quest for truth and sincerity. He seeks solace in encounters with various characters, such as his younger sister Phoebe, whom he adores for her innocence, and Jane Gallagher, a girl from his past whose innocence he idealizes. His interactions with strangers and acquaintances highlight his discomfort with societal expectations, leading him to alienate himself further. The recurring motif of the "catcher in the rye" emerges from Holden's desire to shield innocence and preserve the purity of childhood. He imagines himself standing in a rye field, catching children on the verge of falling over a cliff, symbolizing his desire to protect innocence from the corruption of the adult world. Holden's narration is characterized by his idiosyncratic voice, filled with colloquial language and slang. His inner turmoil, marked by cynicism, confusion, and vulnerability, resonates with readers, making the novel a relatable exploration of adolescent angst and the challenges of transitioning to adulthood. As the story progresses, Holden grapples with themes of loss, isolation, and the inevitability of change. His longing for authenticity clashes with the reality of a world that he perceives as inauthentic and morally bankrupt. "The Catcher in the Rye" is a timeless coming-of-age novel that continues to captivate readers for its exploration of adolescence, alienation, and the struggle to retain purity and authenticity in a world that seems overwhelmingly phony. Holden Caulfield's search for meaning and truth resonates with audiences, making the novel a classic portrayal of teenage angst and the complexities of growing up.