First Edition of the "Dubliners"
Dubliners.
London: Grant Richards Ltd. Publishers, 1914.
Full Description:
JOYCE, James. Dubliners. London: Grant Richards Ltd., Publishers, 1914.
First edition. One of 746 copies bound for Richards (another 540 were sent to the United States). Octavo (7 1/2 x 5 inches; 192 x 125 mm). 278, [2, blank] pp. Complete with half-title.
Publisher's crimson cloth. Spine and front board lettered in gilt. Some spotting to fore-edge and prelims. Spine slightly darkened. Cloth with some very light rubbing. Some minimal soiling to front and back free endpaper. Overall, an about fine copy of this legendary rarity and epochal work in modern literature.
"'I regret to see that my book has turned out un fiasco solenne.' James Joyce's disillusion with the publication of Dubliners in 1914 was the result of ten years battling with publishers, resisting their demands to remove swear words, real place names and much else, including two entire stories. Although only 24 when he signed his first publishing contract for the book, Joyce already knew its worth: to alter it in any way would 'retard the course of civilisation in Ireland'. Joyce's aim was to tell the truth - to create a work of art that would reflect life in Ireland at the turn of the last century and by rejecting euphemism, reveal to the Irish the unromantic reality the recognition of which would lead to the spiritual liberation of the country. Each of the fifteen stories offers a glimpse of the lives of ordinary Dubliners - a death, an encounter, an opportunity not taken, a memory rekindled - and collectively they paint a portrait of a nation." (Good Reads)
Slocum and Cahoon A8.
HBS 69705.
$25,000.
Price: $25,000.00
Item #69705