[Nabokov, Vladimir.] Nabokoff-Sirin, Vladimir.

8vo, first edition, original cloth, lettered in gilt on the spine, in the very rare dust-jacket, some tears to jacket at top of upper panel and along edges of lower panel and spine, upper layer of jacket on spine missing small pieces near head and base, some other minor loss and slight soiling

Field D14.4 ("a very rare book"; one copy recorded in a jacket, "with the Nabokov family")

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The first of the author's books to be published in English and extremely rare in dust-jacket: only two other examples are known, both in institutional libraries.

The present copy appears to have the second issue jacket, with a replacement strip affixed to the original spine, with revised price 3/6 (instead of the original published 7/6) and two lines inserted at the centre advertising Nabokov's second book in England, Despair, published in 1937. Most of the lettering and decoration for the first state jacket is still visible in the present copy, including the imprint `John Long' at the base of the spine (see illustration).

Most copiesof the book, according to the author, were destroyed in a warehouse during the Second World War. Unhappy with the translation Nabokov never allowed the edition to be reprinted. His own translation, Laughter in the Dark, appeare in America two years later. Some commentators argue that the work is a more successful and honest treatment of sexual obsession than Lolita.

We are grateful to the Berg Collection, New York Public Library, for giving us the opportunity to compare the present example with theirs--Nabokov's own--which is in the earlier state jacket price 7/6 and without the advertisement for Despair.