Der Tod in Venedig [Death in Venice]
Thomas Mann
Berlin, 1913
 
First trade edition.
 
Original unrestored gray wrappers, rough-cut edges. One of 1000 copies. Scattered modest creasing to covers and general light wear along the edges else Fine. A remarkably nice copy housed custom slipcase. Only one copy to appear in the auction record and that one was trashed.
 
A cult classic of 20th century fiction and yet another work that likely can’t be fully connected with until one has had many years under their belt and experienced doom-inviting desire. This feeling and state of mind is like a dense, arctic-chilled psychological fog gliding through your entire being, methodically freezing you until the hammer of a moment shatters everything.