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A trophy! The rare advance
reading copy in
wraps in a custom-made clamshell case. Laid in is a slip with the
publication date stamped on it and a post card soliciting comments
to be returned to the publisher. The book is in fine condition with
the only flaws being that it is slightly toned at the edges and has
a light crease at the top corner of the rear cover. I doubt that it
was ever read. This fabulous copy of a rare form of this
cornerstone of 20th century fiction is priced at $19,500.
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A first edition, first printing in jacket. The book is near
fine with tightly bound brown boards and green cloth spine and
square corners. It has a very faint damp stain at the top of the
rear panel near spine and slightly toned page edges. The jacket is
the first issue with all of the points except the price, which has
been clipped. It is in very good condition with chipping at the
ends of the spine and flap folds (no lettering affected), creases
and rubbing along folds and a soiled and lightly stained rear
panel. This collectible copy, priced to reflect the condition, is
$12,000. |
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The editorial
team at Lippincott warned Harper Lee that she would probably sell
only several thousand copies and, on July 11, 1960, the first
edition of To Kill a Mockingbird was published with a print
run of 5000. It’s not known how many of these went to libraries.
The book won the Pulitzer Prize and was chosen by Reader’s Digest
Condensed Books for reprinting, which gave it a wide readership
immediately. Since the original publication, the book has never
been out of print.
In 1999, To
Kill a Mockingbird was voted the "Best Novel of the 20th
century" by readers of Library Journal. In 2006, it appeared first
on a list developed by librarians who answered the question, “Which
book should every adult read before they die?”
Harper Lee was
awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on November 5, 2007. In
his remarks, President Bush stated, "One reason To Kill a
Mockingbird succeeded is the wise and kind heart of the author,
which comes through on every page... To Kill a Mockingbird
has influenced the character of our country for the better. It's
been a gift to the entire world. As a model of good writing and
humane sensibility, this book will be read and studied forever." |
FIRST
EDITIONS:
FICTION, MYSTERY, SUSPENSE
