Call it Sleep
Henry Roth, 1934
ROTH, Henry (1906-1995). Call It Sleep. New York: Robert Ballou, 1934.

First edition of the author's first book, a strong candidate for the greatest Jewish-American novel. This is a review copy, with a gelatin silver print portrait photograph of the author laid in, "by Terry", and two typed circulars issued by the publisher to promote the book. The fine condition of this review copy is a symptom of the book's fate. Although critically acclaimed and of great influence in later decades, Call It Sleep was not a commercial success and Henry Roth did not publish another book for 60 years. The striking wrap-around dust jacket design is by the muralist Stuyvesant Van Veen (1910-1988) and complements the black top edge. "Ballou Black –Top Books are Good Books" (dust jacket flap).

Octavo. (Closed edge-tear to half-title.) Original cloth (spine faded); pictorial dust jacket by Stuyvesant Van Veen (light wear to extremities); custom full morocco box.