MANN, Thomas. Mario and the Magician.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1931. First US Edition. Signed by Mann without inscription on front free endpaper. Octavo (7.75" x 5.5"); 81pp. Original pictorial dustjacket over plaid boards. Unclipped dustjacket shows a small, clean tear at top near spine along with a good bit of scuffing to face and edges, smudging to back, and rubbing to top and bottom. Boards show some darkening/soiling, with the front board starting to curve outward just a bit. Binding is solid and pages are unmarked.
Mann's political novel written during the rise of Stalin and Mussolini tells the story of Cipolla, a stage hypnotist who abuses his powers to exert self-serving, authoritarian control over his audiences, and of Mario, a local waiter. Scarce in the original jacket, especially signed.