The Magic Christian

New York: Random House, (1960). First edition, 1st printing. 8vo. 148 pp. Original full black pleather-covered boards, stamped in gold, pink, in original unclipped ($3.00) dust-jacket. Edge wear throughout, particular to spine ends and corners. A few closed tears to jacket panels, with smudging, scuffs and discoloration. Handling and shelf wear present. Protected in archival mylar. Book is tight, square and firm. Handling wear present. Corners mostly quite sharp, with bumps to bottom corners. Abrasion/nick to rear panel. Light curling to spine crown. Interior is clean and unmarked.

Dust Jacket: Good

Hardcover: Good

“The Magic Christian is a 1959 comic novel by American author Terry Southern (1924–1995) about an odd billionaire who spends most of his time playing elaborate practical jokes on people. It is known for bringing Southern to the attention of filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, who had received a copy as a gift from Peter Sellers, and subsequently hired him as co-writer for Dr. Strangelove (1964) when Kubrick decided to make that film a black comedy/satire, rather than a straightforward thriller. In 1969, The Magic Christian was made into a film starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr; the story was much altered and relocated from New York City to London.”