- First Edition
- Softcover
- Used



Seller: Fine Editions Ltd, Willow Street, PA, U.S.A.Fine Editions Ltd
AbeBooks seller since September 5, 2006
Association member: IOBA
Condition: Used - Fine
£ 154.81
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Uncorrected Bound Galleys of the author's "most ambitious and successful novel." (Literary Encyclopedia) Crown 8vo (202 x 129mm): 639,[1]pp. Saffron paper wrappers lettered in black. Presumably an early (or first) issue, without publication date in manuscript to front cover and printing error resulting in strings of letters and numbers at bottom of more than 100 pages. An exceptional example of this scarce format, tightly bound and clean throughout. Powers's third novel, intertwining discovery of the chemical structure of DNA with the musicality of Johann Sebastian Bach's harpsichord composition the Goldberg Variations. (Douglas Hofstadter explored a similar theme in his 1979 book, Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid.) Powers's title also alludes to Edgar Allan Poe's 1843 short story "The Gold-Bug," which plays a part in the plot. "Detailed descriptions of Mendel and his Law of Segregation, homozygous and heterozygous plants, Watson and Crick's discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, mutation at the molecular level, the evolutionary process, triple codons, amino acids, proteins and enzymes, and the structure of the brain are interwoven with fugue theory and the history of Bach's Goldberg Variations to form a fourth "narrative" strand for the hard-working reader to assimilate. Despite its length and difficulty, The Gold Bug Variations was greeted enthusiastically when published in 1991. It was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, was named by Time as the best novel of the year, was a New York Times Notable Book, and was one of Publisher's Weekly's Best Books." (Literary Encyclopedia) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).…
Seller Inventory # BB1806
Bibliographic details
- Title
- The Gold Bug Variations
- Author
- POWERS, Richard (b. 1957)
- Publisher
- Morrow, New York
- Publication year
- 1991
- Condition
- Fine
- Binding
- Wrappers
- Edition
- First Edition.
- Seller catalogs
- MODERN FIRSTS
Fine Editions Ltd
Willow Street, PA, U.S.A.
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 4 to 8 business days | 2 to 3 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 4.91 | £ 12.46 |
Payment methods
- Bank Draft
- Check
- Money Order
- Paypal
Store description
The Fine in our name refers both to matters of condition (by and large, we only stock exceptional examples) and to the perspective we take on collecting. Our focus is on editions of aesthetic merit, whether for their bindings, typography, plates, or dust-jacket art. We specialize in First Editions of English and American Literature, Landmarks In Science and the History Of Ideas, Natural History and Color-Plate books, Travel and Voyages, and books on Gardening and Landscape Design. Please visit often, in search of rare, unusual, and fine editions from five centuries.…
Specialty
many with hand-coloring, Gardening & Landscape Design, Emblem books, Modern literary high spots, History of Ideas, First books, Photobooks, Baedekers, The Classical World, Voyages & Travel, Plate booksAssociation member
Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.Seller's business information
Fine Editions Ltd
PA, U.S.A.
Terms of sale
We sell only genuine rare and antiquarian books. Every effort has been made to describe them carefully and accurately, and all are unconditionally guaranteed. Any item may be returned if found unsatisfactory for any reason within 10 days of purchase, with prior notification via email. Refunds are limited to the original purchase price, including initial delivery costs. Returns must be carefully packaged and promptly shipped.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Fine Editions Ltd, Willow Street, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., +1 917-969-7418, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Orders usually ship within 3 business days. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or over-sized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.