Former People (Only Signed Copy, Inscribed to Theodore Bikel)

Boris Watson

Published by Harvill Press, London, 1953

Condition: Used - Very good Hardcover

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Sold by Rareeclectic, Pound ridge, NY, U.S.A.

AbeBooks Seller since 16 January 2015

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Used - Hardcover

Condition: Used - Very good

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About this Item

First Edition (Harvill Press= NAP). This book was first published in England by the Harvill Press in 1953. There was an American edition published in 1954. Once listed, this will be the Only signed copy of either edition for sale on the Internet. Moreover, it is inscribed to the renowned actor Theodore Bikel (read about his fascinating life and career in his Wikipedia profile). The inscription is on the first front end paper. It reads 'To Theodore Bikel, a crypto-Russian, from the author, with best regards, Boris Watson.' The author also dated the inscription: '25/4/53'. And, as you can see from the photo, there are few parenthesized words between the inscription and the date. I can't make them out. probably a place, possibly a different language. Maybe you can identify it. You can see the green covers of the book in the photos. They are exceptionally clean. The gilt lettering on the spine is very bright. There actually isn't any wear on the covers. The edges and corners are in excellent shape. The page edges are quite clean ( a couple of specks on the top one). The book is quite solidly bound with nicely tight pages throughout. The covers are nicely tight as well. The rear inside cover does have two very tiny tears on its inside edge, quite irrelevant. Both the first front end paper and the last rear end paper have a vertical discoloration adjacent to their juncture with the inside covers. It looks like it was caused by the slightly rougher surface of the opposing area on the inside covers, just the way it's bound. The pages are exceptionally clean. I don't think there's any soiling. There is an tiny bit of spotting off the top edge of both inside covers. The condition of the pages is excellent until you reach the last nine pages (199-213, which is the last page, followed by a blank rear end paper). On these pages you will find a crease running from the top corner down as far as the middle of the outer edge (a fewf inches on some and around 5 inches on some others). The crease does not come anywhere near the print. Although I've owned the book for a number of years, I didn't notice that these pages were folded in at this edge. I've flattened them out now. Because the pages were subjected to being folded in, several of them developed two or three very small brown spots along the crease, nothing dramatic. Seemingly unrelated, there is a very vague vertical impression (not really a crease) on a dozen or so of the preceding pages. It is quite inconspicuous, but visible. I would want to make clear that the creases off the edge of the last nine or so pages (double that if you're counting sides) are quite conspicuous, although there are no tears. It may or may not get a little less so as a result of no longer being folded over. There are no markings in the book. There are no attachments. And with the exception of the signed inscription, no one has written their name or anything else anywhere. You can see the dust jacket in the first few photos. The front cover is quite clean. The spine is a little bit faded and the lettering there, while visible, has also faded. The rear cover has some toning. At the top edge of the spine there is a tiny loss and some small tears as well as loss of color. There are two tiny tears off the top edge of the front cover and there is a little scuff at the front top corner. The flaps are in solid condition, one very tiny tear off the front flap's top edge. There is toning off the top edges of both flaps. The jacket is NOT price-clipped, not clipped at all. It will be fitted with a protective cover. A blurb on the front flap from Compton MacKenzie about what was Mr. Watson's first novel: "I was much impressed by this most unusual picture of Russian Life just after the Revolution. The book is really well-written, and it provides a valuable illumination of what for most of us is dark.".

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Bibliographic Details

Title

Former People (Only Signed Copy, Inscribed to Theodore Bikel)

Publisher

Harvill Press, London

Publication Date

1953

Binding

Hardcover

Edition

1st Edition

Printing

1st Printing

Condition

Very Good

Dust Jacket Condition

Very Good Minus

Signed

Inscribed by Author(s)

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Store Description

Many of the books I will be selling can accurately be described as ranging from somewhat rare to very rare. In some cases there won't be another copy for sale anywhere on the Internet. There doesn't seem much point, for you or me, in offering something that so many others are already offering. Subject matter will range very widely, creating the possibility for people with very different interests to find something that excites them. As regards pricing, my primary goal is to sell the book. Most often I would expect my book to be the least expensive option on the Internet taking into account an appropriate comparison(what is the condition, is the dust jacket present, is the book signed, is it a first printing, etc.). More important than selling the book I want to make sure that you know, as much as is possible, exactly what you are getting. To that end, you'll notice that my descriptions of condition tend to be lengthy, and that there will always be photographs to help you draw your own conclusions. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about a given book. As regards international shipping, the first class or standard rates I charge are based on a package weight between 2 and 3 pounds. If the book is on the thin side there is a possibility that I can securely pack it up under 2 pounds in weight. If so, the shipping price will drop by around $11.00 or $12.00 to $26.00-27.00. Canada, which is less expensive drops to $18.00. You can contact me before purchasing a book for an estimate on the shipping cost. If you buy the book and it weighs in below 2 pounds you'll get a Reduced Shipping message and amount with the invoice and you'll see the lowered final cost before you make your payment.

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