Orwell, George

8vo (217 x 140mm.), FIRST EDITION, SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR on the front free endpaper, original limp orange cloth wrappers, collector's red folding box, some spotting, wrappers worn at extremities, partially erased ownership inscription to front free endpaper

Fenwick A.5a

Condition is as described in the main body of the cataloguing, where 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."

Orwell himself never expected that The Road to Wigan Pier would be selected by Gollancz for his prestigious Left Book Club list, which had been launched in May 1936. Writing to Leonard Moore in December, he described the book as "too fragmentary and, on the surface, not very left-wing". 

Gollancz had commissioned the book the previous January with a £500 advance, and Orwell spent the following two months in the north of England. His friends received numerous letters describing his experience, with Orwell writing to Richard Rees in February "Have you ever been down a mine? I don't think I shall ever feel the quite the same about coal again."

By the time the book was published Orwell was already fighting the civil war in Spain. Orwell himself didn't see a copy of this edition until late April when he was home on leave.

Books signed by Orwell are notoriously rare, with no signed copies of this title having appeared at auction in recent years.