[AFRICAN AMERICANA]. SPIVAK, John L. (1897-1981). Georgia Nigger. New York: Brewer, Warren and Putnam, 1932. 8vo. Illustrated with frontispiece, plus fourteen inserted leaves with half-tone photographs at the rear [after photographs taken by Spivak]. [x], 1-241 pp. Publisher’s red linen, stamped in gilt with the title on the front board, with a triple gilt rule beneath. Spine stamped with gilt lettering. Fore-edge untrimmed. Lacks the scarce dust jacket. FIRST EDITION, LARRY MCMURTRY'S COPY WITH HIS "BRAND" BOOKPLATE ON THE FP. 

John Louis Spivak was a leftist reporter and author whose work focused on racism and working-class issues, and the rise of fascism in America. His novel, Georgia Nigger, later retitled as Hard Times on a Southern Chain Gang, blended investigative reporting and narrative to highlight the racism and brutality experienced by inmates on prison work crews and chain gangs; and provided his own photographs in the book to document the torture and poor conditions that he found. 

Some rubbing and light wear to the cloth, mostly around the edges and at the corners. Minimal discoloration and a bump to the middle of the fore-edge of the upper board. Small hole at the base of the front joint. Gilt lettering is rubbed but still visible on the front board. Backstrip is sunned and faded, and with the gilt now mostly gone from the lettering. Some slight darkening to the front and rear endpapers, Very faint foxing apparent in places, including on the frontispiece and title page; and occurs on sheets and plates. A couple instances of thumb soiling, a few minuscule black spots (most notably on the middle fore-edge margin of pages 56 and 184. Still, a very good copy.