New York: Ballantine Books, 1953. First edition, #106 of 200 copies with limited issue asbestos binding, hand-numbered and signed by author on colophon. [viii], 199, (3) pp. Johns-Manville Quinterra asbestos binding, lettered in red. Fine, with light wear to crown heaviest to the rear, light bumping to bottom corners, trivial soiling. Two tiny spots to the textblock edge. Issued without a dust jacket. The classic dystopian, anti-censorship novel, plus two short stories "The Playground" and "The Rock Cried Out." A sought-after signed limited edition extremely uncommon in such stellar condition.
Image and description from a listing on eBay. I did not know (or had forgotten) that such versions existed. A tip of the hat to Neatorama for the info. I'll keep my eyes peeled for one at our next library extra books sale.
These days more books need asbestos. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteJeepers, that is like the last book you will ever read, as you lay there dying from asbestosis.
ReplyDeleteIs this a trend, wrapping the story in it's subject matter or title ?
Can't wait for 'Lord of the Flies'
And picture me with red stained hands from 'The Grapes of Wrath'
I absolutely (asbestolutely?) remember reading about them in the 1980s when we read F451 in high school.
ReplyDeleteOk, now that I think a bit, how would that even be? Like the only option would be the teacher telling us about it.
I see you never read the Julian May books about time travelers and psychic aliens and stuff. One of the major characters in most of the books was a rare sci fi bookseller, who got his hands on that book at some point in the series for a song in an estate sale.
ReplyDeleteDouble LOL. My friend is a rare book dealer, I just asked if he'd ever seen one, he immediately replied "I own one! I'll send you pics when I get home"
ReplyDelete