Scarce Burgess Title In Exceptional Condition

Burgess, Anthony ~ The Worm And The Ring : With A Bookplate Signed By The Author

Heinemann : 1961

A First UK printing published by Heinemann in 1961. The BOOK is in near FINE condition. The binding is tight and the book is free from inscriptions and erasures. Mild bumping to the lower corners. The text block is lightly toned but the pages are clean with just some light finger marking to a very few pages. The gilt titling on the spine remains bright. Mild creasing to the lower corner tips of some pages. The WRAPPER is complete and is in near Fine condition. It has mild rubbing to the corners. The pink lettering is only lightly faded to the spine. The spine is only mildly toned with just a little light soiling to the lower spine edge. Small closed tear to the lower front spine fold .There is a mild toning to the edges of the flaps. The condition of the wrapper is far better than usually encountered. An exceptional copy. The John Rowland designed wrapper looks very attractive in the removable Brodart archival protector. Accompanied by a loosely inserted bookplate signed by the author. A very SCARCE early key BURGESS title with an interesting history:The novel was withdrawn from circulation following a libel action by Gwendoline Bustin, the secretary of Banbury Grammar School where Burgess taught in the early fifties. Several characters were recognisable as figures from the school, but only Miss Burstin, later Lady Mayoress of Banbury, objected. Heinemann agreed to 'amend all unsold copies of the book' (The Times, October 25, 1962) but actually pulped them. A sharp copy of an extremely scarce title to find with such attributes.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine
JACKET: Near Fine