Quality by Cid Ricketts Sumner (Bantam Books No. 126, 1948)

Vintage mid-century paperback edition of Quality by Cid Ricketts Sumner, published by Bantam Books in 1948. This controversial and historically significant novel explores issues of race, identity, and belonging in the Jim Crow South. Known for its bold exploration of racial passing and social injustice, the book was adapted into the 1949 film Pinky, directed by Elia Kazan and starring Jeanne Crain and Ethel Barrymore.

This copy features striking period cover art typical of late-1940s Bantam design. Moderate shelf and edge wear with minor creasing; pages show expected age toning but remain clean and intact. A culturally important collectible that reflects both the pulp era and the evolving discourse on race in mid-century America.