Auction details
Book Auction - Fiction - Signed Bookers, etc
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1429 Danby Road
Ithaca, NY 14850-6071 
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Title: Rites of Passage
Author: William Golding Publisher: Faber and Faber Printing Year: 1980 Inscribed first edition Condition/Details: Bound in dark green cloth with bright gilt embossing to spine, this volume is a scarce signed copy of the author's 1980 Booker Prize winning title. "The first novel in his Sea trilogy. A diverse collection of people travel from England to Australia on an old ship. It focuses on the account of a trip to Australia, and takes the form of a journal written by Edmund Talbot, a young, aristocratic passenger aboard the British warship HMS Pandora. His influential godfather, having secured him employment with the Governor General in Australia, presented him with the journal in which to record the significant events of the journey. Talbot begins his commentary by detailing the various passengers and crew members, who encompass a motley yet representative collection of early 19th century English society. The journal quickly becomes concerned with the account of the downfall of a passenger, the Reverend Colley. Talbot has a somewhat ambiguous role in this: whilst he quickly assumes a mediator's role between the Reverend and Captain Anderson, the initial problem was caused by Talbot's presumption of preference and status within the passengers and, inappropriately, the crew. Class division, or the assumption of a higher status than is warranted, is a running theme of the book, focusing upon the proper conduct of a gentleman, but also his often stormy friendship with one of the officers, Lieutenant Summers, who often feels slighted by Talbot's ill-thought out comments and advice." Inscription on front endpaper reads: " For Michael/ with best wishes/ From/ William Golding" The volume is in fine condition, and is solidly bound with clean, bright pages. Illustrated dustjacket is in glassine cover. The book measures approximately 5.75" x 8.75" and contains 278 pages. Please note that a signed limited edition of Golding's "Ends of the Earth" is also being offered at this auction. See lot number 162. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $4.50 ImagesClick on thumbnails to see larger images:
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