Die Verwandlung (Metamorphosis).

Leipzig: Kurt Wolff Verlag,, 1915. The insect itself must not be illustrated by a drawing. It cannot be shown at all, not even from a distance First edition, first printing, first issue, a superbly well-preserved copy of the scarce case-bound issue, retaining the original dust jacket, which rarely survives. The first of Kafka's masterpieces, Metamorphosis narrates the tale of a man who wakes up to find himself transformed into an "ungeheuren Ungeziefer", usually translated as a "monstrous insect". The Expressionist jacket illustration, by Ottomar Starke (1886-1962), does not represent the insect; after learning that Starke would illustrate the dust jacket, Kafka wrote to the publisher: "The insect itself must not be illustrated by a drawing. It cannot be shown at all, not even from a distance" (25 October 1915). The novel met with unimpressive sales on publication, and after a year or so the numerous unsold copies were stamped on the title pages with the official stamp of the German censors. This copy is a first issue, without the censor stamp. It is one of two variant states with the spine and front cover lettered in serif type (no established priority). There was also an issue in wrappers, which repeats Starke's jacket illustration, published simultaneously. Octavo. Original quarter japon, spine and front lettered in black, blue laid paper boards, top edge blue. With dust jacket, illustrated by Ottomar Stark. Boards slightly bowing, minimal rubbing to extremities, a couple of minute marginal tears to first few leaves; jacket just lightly toned, tiny marks and nicks to top edge, flaps without price as issued: notwithstanding, a fine copy in like dust jacket.