Golding, William

8vo, FIRST EDITION, half-title, original red boards lettered in white on spine, DUST-JACKET, collector's red folding box, price-clipped dust-jacket repaired along upper joint with tape on verso, jacket worn at extremities and spine browned

E.M. Forster, booklabel on front free endpaper

Gekoski and Grogan A2(a)

Condition is 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."

E.M. FORSTER'S OWN COPY, WITH HIS BOOKLABEL. Much of Forster's library was sold when the author moved from his family home at West Hackhurst in Abinger Hammer, Surrey in 1946. After taking residence in Kings College, Cambridge (with a much reduced library), he continued to give books away as he acquired new ones. The so-called 'residue of his library' was sold by W. Heffer & Sons in 1971. Although the catalogue included a number of first edition copies of Golding, this was not among them.

Forster was integral to the success of Golding's first novel, which had sold slowly until Forster named it as his "outstanding novel of the year". The book has since gone on to sell more than 10 million copies worldwide. 

The publishers produced a number of wrap around bands after the first copies had been sold but seemingly before the book was reprinted. These promotional items are now rare. The example included with this copy proclaims Lord of the Flies as "E.M. Forster's choice".