Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Cain, James M.. The Postman Always Rings Twice.. Grosset & Dunlap Publishers [1934], New York, 1934.
Price: US$25.00 + shipping
Description: Originally published in 1934 by Knopf, this is an undated reprint edition, from the Knopf sheets. About Fine in black cloth stamped in dull red, lacking the dustwrapper. 188pp. Classic noir, basis for two successful Hollywood adaptations. Q15446
Seller: Compass Rose Books, ABAA-ILAB, Kensington, CA, U.S.A.
Cain, James M.. The postman always rings twice. Alfred A Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$55.24 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: 187 pag
Seller: Von Meyenfeldt, Slaats & Sons, Breda, Netherlands
Cain, James M. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$65.00 + shipping
Description: Good++, former owner's name in ink on the ffep
Seller: Westsider Rare & Used Books Inc., New York, NY, U.S.A.
Cain, James M.. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$195.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Alfred A. Knopf. New York. 1934. 187 pages. First edition, fourth printing, stated. Printed in the same month and year as the first printing; February 1934. Book is tight. Binding and hinges are strong and sound. Deep, rich navy topstain. Orange cloth shows soiling; mostly on rear panel along upper edge. A bumped corner tip on lower front panel. Endpapers show foxing. VG-
Seller: Medium Rare Books, Mountainside, NJ, U.S.A.
Cain, James M.. The Postman Always Rings Twice. GROSSET & DUNLAP, NEW YORK, 1934.
Price: US$250.00 + shipping
Description: The dj matches the original design published by Alfred A. Knopf. The dj is torn down spine, rubbed cover, lightly tanned, creased at spine. The book has light shelf wear, tanned fore edges and pages. Good binding, clean body and unmarked text. This copy was published the same year as the 1934 Knopf first edition. Our Jacket has same design as dj of the knopf first edition book. DATE PUBLISHED: 1934 EDITION: 188
Seller: Princeton Antiques Bookshop, Atlantic City, NJ, U.S.A.
Price: US$295.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First Edition Library, Shelton, CT. Facsimile first edition of the Alfred A. Knopf first edition, first printing. These First Edition Library copies were printed in the 1980s-1990's. Book is housed in a First Edition Library slipcase with the DJ present and the information card present as well. Book, DJ and information card are all fine. Slipcase is near fine with a touch of wear at lower front corner, and tiny white mark on slipcase spine. Minor shelf-rubbing to slipcase. The First Edition Library has become a popular set for collectors, thanks to their limited print run, and high quality production. Fine/Fine in near fine slipcase.
Seller: Medium Rare Books, Mountainside, NJ, U.S.A.
Price: US$547.51 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: Fourth impression of the first edition of "The Postman Always Rings Twice", published just four months after the first impression. First published in the UK in May 1934, the book was an immediate success, and was reprinted twice in June 1934 and then this printing in September 1934. The scarce pre-war dustwrapper is in unusually fine condition. The book was originally published earlier in 1934 in the USA by Alfred A. Knopf, New York, but the UK edition had much smaller print-runs and is now far scarcer. ***Near fine in bright yellow cloth-covered boards with black titles to the spine. The boards are still nice and clean, having been protected by the dustwrapper. No bumps to the boards. No tears to the cloth. Corners sharp. No creases. No foxing to the page block edges, just a slightly dusty and darkened top edge. No spine lean. Spine tight. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions. No foxing or offsetting to the endpapers. No creases or tears. Interior pages clean. Paper stock extremely well preserved for a book of this age. ***In a near fine dustwrapper that has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of Five Shillings net. The dustwrapper is correct for the fourth impression, being printed with '4th Printing' on the spine. The dustwrapper is complete and is clean and bright. There is just very light edge wear mainly at the head of the spine. The very thin dustwrapper has survived in remarkable condition, with just some light handling marks commensurate with the age of the book, and a slightly darkened spine. The very large foldover flaps have survived unscathed without any creasing, which is also remarkable. ***200mm x 135mm. 192 pages plus an 8-page publisher's catalogue bound in at the end of the book. ***'this vivid, drastic tale is one to read at a sitting. The psychology is as subtle as the pace is rapid.' - Gerald Gould ***'a gem of swift, rushing, relentless story-telling.' - Joseph Sell ***'it is a major work.' - James Agate. [Review quotes taken from the back panel of the dustwrapper] ***'"The Postman Always Rings Twice" is a 1934 crime novel by American writer James M. Cain. The novel was successful and notorious upon publication. It is considered one of the most outstanding crime novels of the 20th century. The novel's mix of sexuality and violence was startling in its time and caused it to be banned in Boston. It is included in Modern Library's list of 100 best novels, and it was published as an Armed Services Edition during WWII. The novel has been adapted for film seven times, of which the 1946 version is regarded as an important film noir. Cain began to write the novel in March 1933. Completed in September, the manuscript was initially turned down by both Knopf and Macmillan. Walter Lippman, who Cain had served under as a journalist at the New York World, interceded on his behalf and convinced Alfred Knopf to acquire the story. Originally titled "Bar-B-Que", the work appeared as "The Postman Always Rings Twice" in early 1934. Publisher Knopf detested both the originally proposed title "Bar-B-Que", as well as "The Postman Always Rings Twice". A compromise title "For Love or Money" was proposed by Knopf. Cain and Lawrence insisted that the metaphor of a mail carrier as the agent of fate was essential and prevailed in the title dispute.' (Wiki) ***A fourth impression of the first UK edition, extremely hard to find complete in its original dustwrapper in such nice, collectable condition. This is probably the best condition surviving pre-war copy of "The Postman Always Rings Twice" that you are likely to find. Of interest to collectors of the work of James M. Cain and collectors of crime and detective fiction first editions. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.
Seller: Orlando Booksellers, Lincoln, United Kingdom
CAIN, JAMES M.. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$603.25 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: 8vo. Orange cloth with dark blue decorations and titles to spine and front panel. Wrapped in FACSIMILE DUST JACKET. Some wear and soiling to boards but otherwise a very nice copy of Cain's most famous book.
Seller: Karol Krysik Books ABAC/ILAB, IOBA, PBFA, Toronto, ON, Canada
Cain, James. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$850.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: There is one subtle dent on the front cover. Otherwise, this is a very impressive clean copy. No d-j. 4th Printing
Seller: Encanto Books, Santa Monica, CA, U.S.A.
Cain, James M.. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$900.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First Edition, First Printing. Very Good, lacking dust jacket. Offsetting to end papers. First 8 page leafs have a tiny tear at the side edge. Foxing to side of page block and cloth. Sunning to spine. First edition, as stated.
Seller: Burnside Rare Books, ABAA, Portland, OR, U.S.A.
James M. Cain. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Alfred a Knopf Inc, New York, 1934.
Price: US$1080.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: a fine copy in the original orange and blue cloth in a facsimile dust jacket. signed letter from the author to Harry Clarke laid in, in a full bold hand in ink. Basis fo the famous film noir starring Lana Turner and John Garfield, too steamy for most critics at the time, but gritty directed by Ty Garnett and co starring the beautiful Audrey Trotter. as his second femme fatale.
Seller: Hirschfeld Galleries, Saint Louis, MO, U.S.A.
Cain, James M.. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Knopf Borzoi, New York, 1934.
Price: US$1150.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: 8vo. 192 pp. Bound in recent full brown morocco, gilt lettering and decoration to spine, gilt border to boards, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, original cloth spine and board bound in back. A fine copy. First Edition. Shipped in a box, not a padded envelope.
Seller: Dubliners Books, Austin, TX, U.S.A.
Cain (James M.). The Postman Always Rings Twice. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$2318.87 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First edition (stated on copyright page). 8vo. Dust-jacket, price-clipped. The first edition of this classic of US crime literature, widely recognised as an outstanding novel of the 20th century. The jacket is price-clipped, but the titles listed on the back panel conform to the first printing, and the inside front flap includes the disclaimer about no cheaper printings being issued before Spring 1935. Cloth very slightly dulled at spine, but otherwise a very good copy; jacket price-clipped at inside front flap, a little wear with slight loss to head of upper panel, a few minor closed tears, but overall a very good example.
Seller: Lycanthia Rare Books, Newark, NOTTS, United Kingdom
APPEL, Benjamin. Brain Guy. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$2500.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: 12mo. Pp. 355. Gray cloth, titles and illustration stamped in red on the cover and spine, top edge dyed red: spine ends rubbed, board edges lightly discolored. In the illustrated dust jacket printed black on silver foil, price $2.50 intact on front flap: edges rubbed, small chips to spine head, mellowed creases to rear panel and flaps, silver bright and reflective. A New York rent collector rises to gangster leader. This was the first of Appel's crime novels, set in Hell's Kitchen where he was raised. When published, the NYT review lauded its "honest naturalism in detail."In an advertisement facing the half title readers are directed to similar recent books from the publisher: Dashiell Hammett's The Thin Man and James M. Cain's The Postman Always Rings Twice. A particularly bright copy. Dust jacket preserved in a removable, clear archival sleeve. .
Seller: Long Brothers Fine & Rare Books, ABAA, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
Cain, James M.. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$2500.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Very Good in a Very Good jacket, unclipped ($2.00), generally toned, a larger chip at the foot of the spine, lesser chips along the edges. Orange cloth, darkened at the edges, with blue ink lettering and panels. Square, bound with some reading wear, blue top stain, toned at the endpapers, clean otherwise. Cain's classic debut novel about an affair turned deadly. Adapted into the 1946 Tay Garnett film starring Lana Turner and John Garfield.
Seller: Carpetbagger Books, Woodstock, IL, U.S.A.
James M. Cain. The Postman Always Rings Twice (First Edition). Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$2750.00 + shipping
Description: First Edition. The author's seminal first novel, a cornerstone of hard-boiled fiction that was filmed twice: first in 1946 with John Garfield and Lana Turner, and more nihilistically, with a David Mamet screenplay, in 1981 with Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange. James M. Cain's initial title for the book was "Bar-B-Que," thankfully altered as a result of a conversation Cain had, oddly enough, with screenwriter Vincent Lawrence. Lawrence told Cain that he was always anxious about the mail arriving because it often contained rejections for scripts he had submitted. Lawrence pointed out that he dreaded the second ring, because that practice in those days was relegated exclusively to the postman that goes back to the Victorian era in England. Cain decided it was an appropriate metaphor for the fate of the book's protagonist. Near Fine in a moderately rubbed, about Near Fine, professionally restored dust jacket. In a custom gray cloth slipcase. Haycraft Queen Cornerstone. The Dark Page I: 1940-1949, p. 48.
Seller: Royal Books, Inc., ABAA, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
CAIN JAMES M. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$2898.59 + shipping
Description: (New York: Alfred A. Knopf 1934). First US Edition. Publisher's orange cloth with blue-stamped spine outlining the lettering and blue lettering and designs to the front board, top edge stained blue. The book itself is very nearly fine and an excellent example with bright and clean boards. There are NO INSCRIPTIONS or BOOK-PLATES. The VG D/W is the correct first issue priced $2.00 net and with the red ink blurb to the inside flap and with the correct books listed to the rear panel. The D/W is lightly rubbed to the spine tips and less so to the extremities. The verso has had minor archival strengthening at the spine ends by a skilled conservator but no restoration to the D/W. Laid in is a former bookseller's details as to when this book was first sold at $12.50(!). Housed in a custom-made clamshell box.
Seller: James M Pickard, ABA, ILAB, PBFA., LEICESTER, United Kingdom
Cain, James M.. The Postman Always Rings Twice. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1934.
Price: US$3000.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First edition, first printing. Original publisher's orange cloth, titles and decorations printed in blue to front board and spine, blue top stain; original black, red and white dust jacket with wavy design. Near fine book with a touch of soiling to top edge of text block, light wear to bottom edges of boards, and previous owners bookplate to front pastedown; very good unclipped dust jacket with a bit of wear to jacket flap hinges and spine ends, closed tear to bottom two inches of spine, small closed tear to bottom of rear panel, a bit of soiling and smudging to rear panel, and minor toning to spine. Overall, a sturdy copy in a bright example of its iconic dust jacket. In The Postman Always Rings Twice, a drifter named Frank Chambers takes a job at a rural diner, and he and the owners wife, Cora, quickly begin a passionate affair. Longing to be free from Coras husband, the two brutally murder him, but their bond begins to fray when they enter the legal system and are pitted against one another. The first novel written by James M. Cain, The Postman Always Rings Twice was an instant classic of the "hard-boiled" genre. The titles meaning has been the source of some speculation, but Cain has said that the "postman" represents fate, and the two rings refer to Frank and Coras initial escape from, and ultimate suffering of consequences for their crime. The book was influenced by Émile Zolas Thérèse Raquin, and in turn influenced Albert Camus in his writing of The Stranger. It was adapted into numerous films, most notably the 1946 film noir classic starring John Garfield and Lana Turner.
Seller: B & B Rare Books, Ltd., ABAA, New York, NY, U.S.A.
CAIN, JAMES M.. THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE. Alfred A. Knopf, 1934., New York, 1934.
Price: US$3750.00 + shipping
Description: First edition. Author's first book. Publisher's response card laid-in. A near fine copy with dark top-staining in dust jacket with light restoration by a paper conservator to corners, spine ends, and two small closed tears to top edge of front cover and with absolutely no sunning to the spine panel. A married woman and a drifter fall in love, then plot to murder her husband. Even after the deed is done they must live with the consequences of their actions. First filmed in 1946 and starring Lana Turner as Cora, Cecil Kellaway as her husband, and John Garfield as Frank the drifter. Again in 1981 it was filmed and starred Jack Nicholson as Frank, Jessica Lange as Cora, and John Colicos as her husband. A great hard-boiled crime novel with the publisher's response card laid in. An unusually sharp copy of this Haycraft/Queen Cornerstone mystery novel. Also listed as one of the Great Books on the Modern Library list of the 100 Best Books of the 20th Century.
Seller: BUCKINGHAM BOOKS, ABAA, ILAB, IOBA, GREENCASTLE, PA, U.S.A.
Cain, James M.. THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$4500.00 + shipping
Description: First Printing. Octavo (19.25cm); orange cloth, blocked and titled in dark blue on spine and front cover; dark blue topstain; dustjacket; [viii],[2],3-187,[5]pp. Gentle sunning to spine, light wear to extremities, touch of dust-soil and a few faint foxed spots to covers, with subtle offsetting to endpapers, and three tiny spots to right edge of textblock; a solidly Very Good+ copy. Dustjacket is unclipped (priced $2.00), gently spine-sunned, lightly edgeworn, tiny nicks to crown and lower front flap fold, with some faint, scattered foxing, and a half-dozen stains to lower spine panel (both noticeable chiefly on verso); an unrestored, Very Good+ example. Cain's first novel, in which "an itinerant worker and the young wife of the Greek owner of a roadside lunchroom near Los Angeles plot her husband's murder. The first attempt fails; the second succeeds. What follows is guilt, suspicion, betrayal, their own deaths, and a novel that anticipated the trend of existentialism in fiction" (Baird 379). A Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone title, and one of the defining works of crime fiction to come out of the Great Depression. Basis for Tay Garnett's classic 1946 film noir starring John Garfield and Lana Turner, and a 1981 remake starring Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange. Hubin, p.61.
Seller: Captain Ahab's Rare Books, ABAA, Stephenson, VA, U.S.A.
Cain, James M.. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$4500.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First Edition, First Printing with the words "FIRST EDITION" printed on the copyright page. A beautiful copy. This ORIGINAL dustjacket has the $2.00 printed price present on the front flap with minor wear to the spine and edges. The book is in nice shape. The binding is tight with NO cocking or leaning and the boards are crisp with minor wear to the edges. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. A wonderful copy of this TRUE FIRST EDITION with the First Issue dustjacket that has the correct titles on the back panel housed in a custom clamshell box for preservation.
Seller: Magnum Opus Rare Books, Missoula, MT, U.S.A.
CAIN, JAMES M.. The Postman Always Rings Twice. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1934, 1934.
Price: US$5500.00 + shipping
Description: First Edition of the author's first novel; a Haycraft-Queen cornerstone. Very minor offsetting (browning) on the endpapers, closed tear in the back panel, else fine. The cloth is exceptionally bright; in a very good dust jacket with some browning and tiny chips. Few novels have been as well-served by a cinema adaptation as this book was by the 1946 film. All books described as first editions are first printings unless otherwise noted.
Seller: Peter L. Stern & Co., Inc, Newton, MA, U.S.A.
Cain, James M. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$5500.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First Edition, First Printing with the words "FIRST EDITION" printed on the copyright page. A wonderful copy. This First Issue dustjacket has the publisher's announcement in Red ink printed on the front flap and the correct titles on back panel starting with "Summer's Play" This original dustjacket has light wear to the spine and edges. The book is in great shape. The binding is tight with NO cocking or leaning and the boards are crisp with minor wear to the edges. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. A lovely copy.
Seller: Magnum Opus Rare Books, Missoula, MT, U.S.A.
Cain, James M.. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$7500.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First Edition, First Printing. This First Issue dustjacket has the publisher's $2.00 printed price present on the front flap of the dustjacket with some restoration to the spine and panels. The book is in great shape. The binding is tight, and the boards are crisp. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. We buy James M. Cain First Editions.
Seller: Magnum Opus Rare Books, Missoula, MT, U.S.A.
CAIN, James M.. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$10000.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: First edition. Boards are slightly soiled and near fine, with a supplied proof dustwrapper which came directly from the estate of the artist Arthur Hawkins, Jr. The jacket has been folded with a crease at the spine, Knopf's small Borzoi logo has been cut away from the rear panel (possibly for another design by Hawkins), and Hawkins has written the date "1933" on the front flap, although the book wasn't released until 1934. However the jacket is exceptionally bright and otherwise fine, and about 1/4" taller than the finished version, to which we have compared it (although otherwise identical to it). The jacket was unsigned by Hawkins, unlike most of his work, but is credited to him in Heller and Chwast's seminal study of jacket design, *Jackets Required* - the survival of this proof in his estate seems to confirm their research. A milestone of hardboiled literature that was the basis for the classic 1946 film featuring Lana Turner and John Garfield (as well as at least three other versions). *Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone.* This proof jacket is likely unique.
Seller: Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc. ABAA, Gloucester City, NJ, U.S.A.
Price: US$15000.00 + shipping
Description: First Printing. Octavo (19.25cm); orange cloth, blocked and titled in dark blue on spine and front cover; dark blue topstain; dustjacket; [viii],[2],3-187,[5]pp. Inscribed by the author on the front endpaper: "To Richard Lackritz / with best regards & the hope he enjoys it / James M. Cain / Hyattsville, MD / June 30, 1977." Gentle sunning to spine and upper board edges, some trivial external wear; Near Fine. Dustjacket is unclipped (priced $2.00), spine-sunned, lightly edgeworn, with a few tiny nicks, and a 1.5cm loss to base of spine panel; Very Good. Housed in a custom clamshell box. Cain's first novel, and one of the defining works of crime fiction to come out of the Depression. "An itinerant worker and the young wife of the Greek owner of a roadside lunchroom near Los Angeles plot her husband's murder. The first attempt fails; the second succeeds. What follows is guilt, suspicion, betrayal, their own deaths, and a novel that anticipated the trend of existentialism in fiction" (Baird 379). Cain was a generous signer of books, nearly to the end of his days, but presentation copies of Postman have always been uncommon. This copy is one of just five that have appeared in the auction record (the others were inscribed to Walter Lippman, Tatnall Brown, Samuel Marx, and Teddy LeBeau). Lackritz (1945-2009) was a bibliophile and pre-eminent Sherlockian, whose comprehensive collection of mystery and detective fiction was offered in a three-part name sale at Christie's in 2002 (a serious literary event). A Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone title, basis for Tay Garnett's classic 1946 film noir starring John Garfield and Lana Turner, and a 1981 remake starring Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange. Hubin, p.61.
Seller: Captain Ahab's Rare Books, ABAA, Stephenson, VA, U.S.A.
Cain, James M.. The Postman Always Rings Twice. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$16500.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First Edition, First Printing SIGNED by James M. Cain on a laid in signature. A stunning copy. This First Issue that is vibrant in color with NO chips or tears. This ORIGINAL dustjacket has the $2.00 price present on the front flap. The book is in wonderful shape. The binding is tight with light wear to the boards. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. Overall, a beautiful copy of this TRUE FIRST EDITION Inscribed and SIGNED by the author. We buy SIGNED James M. Cain First Editons.
Seller: Magnum Opus Rare Books, Missoula, MT, U.S.A.
Cain, James M. The Postman Always Rings Twice.. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1934.
Price: US$20000.00 + shipping
Description: First edition of one of the most important crime novels of the twentieth century,Âadapted as a motion picture seven times. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly Signed by James M. Cain on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing to the crown. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A very nice example, rare and desirable signed. "It is sometimes easy to trace a literary genre to its source, and James M. Cain's first novel, The Postman Always Rings Twice, is the noir novel that paved the way for all the noir fiction that followed. The famous film starring Lana Turner and John Garfield is notoriously dark, but the novel is even more full of despair and devoid of hope. It is a short book--little more than a novella--but its searing characterization and depiction of tawdry greed and lust is branded into every reader's memory" (Otto Penzler). Listed by Modern Library as one of the 100 greatest novels of the twentieth century.
Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.