'On the Road', US first edition with an original signed cheque/ check, beautifully rebound with unique road design

Published by Viking Press, 1957

  • First Edition
  • Signed
  • Hardcover
  • Used
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Seller: First and Fine, Ludlow, United KingdomFirst and Fine

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AbeBooks seller since February 8, 2017

Hardcover

Condition: Used - Near fine

£ 4,500.00

£ 28.00 shipping 
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Item description from seller

Jack Kerouac (1957) ‘On the Road‘, US first edition, first printing, published by Viking. Beautifully rebound in full black leather and unique design. Bound by Richard Tong, a prize-winning binder and publisher from the UK to the highest standard. Accompanied is an original cheque, handwritten and signed by Jack Kerouac. Both items are housed in a buckram solander case lined with suede. The cheque is housed under a protective removable plastic sheet. About the design and materials used: The book is bound in finest black goatskin supplied by Harmatan and Oakridge, one of the finest suppliers of leather in Europe. The front board shows the title ‘ON THE ROAD’ in white and in perspective as if the letters were central road markings giving the viever the feel of being in the car and on the road with Kerouac. The spine shows Jack Kerouac in white letters. The black buckram solander case shows dividing road marking across both sides and spine with the title and author’s name on opposing ‘lanes’ mimicking traffic on the road. The solander case in lined with black felt so that the book’s leather will not rub against a hard surface. The book’s top edge has been silvered. Marbled endpapers have been inserted with a design reminiscent of Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’, somewhat appropriate given Kerouac’s biography. The original cheque, is filled in by hand by Kerouac for the amount of USD 194.50 to the order of Macey’s and signed by him. The date is 28 May 1958 and most likely the funds came from the royaltites of On the Road which became a bestseller. Perhaps Jack bought his mother a kitchen appliance with this cheque. Condition: the book presents in fine condition with no previous owner’s names or scribbles throughout. An occasional stain on some of the pages only pronouces the authenticity of the book from 1957. One of the landmark books of 20th century litareture and the most important example of America’s ‘Beat Generation’ (a term which Kerouac himself loathed). The original scroll which Kerouac typed in 1951 within three weeks in a frenzy was auctioned off in 2007 for the incredible amount of 2.43 million US dollars. First and Fine.…

Seller Inventory # ABE-1631889187359

Bibliographic details

Title
'On the Road', US first edition with an original signed cheque/ check, beautifully rebound with unique road design
Author
Kerouac, Jack
Publisher
Viking Press
Publication year
1957
Condition
Near Fine
Signed
Signed by Author(s)
Binding
Hardcover
Edition
1st Edition

First and Fine

Ludlow, United Kingdom

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since February 8, 2017

Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.

Item14 to 45 business days5 to 10 business days
First item£ 28.00£ 35.00
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Store description

First and Fine is run by Dr Alexander Wochnik. He is a political scientist who lives in Birmingham, UK. First and Fine grew out of a passion for collectable books. Having collected modern first editions since 2008, Alex founded and launched First and Fine in 2016. The shop specialises in modern first editions, with a strong focus on 20th century fiction, as well as in fine editions such as limited Folio Society Editions. The qualities of research, diligence and thoroughness required in academia are useful in collecting books as well, and we hope you will be satisfied with the books he has sourced for you. Many of the books offered here have been signed by their authors or artists and we take great care in making sure that the signatures are authentic. All books are sourced from a variety of reliable sources or signed by authors on our behalf at book festivals and other literary events. All books described as first editions are automatically first editions AND a first prints / printings unless specified otherwise. If you have any questions about any of our books please complete the form on our contact us page, we aim to reply to all requests within 24 hours.…

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first editions and fine collectable books

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First and Fine

United Kingdom