Fine Books and Manuscripts, Including Selections from the Collection of Barbara and Ira Lipman

Fine Books and Manuscripts, Including Selections from the Collection of Barbara and Ira Lipman

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 89. Joyce, James | A first edition of Joyce's Ulysses.

The Passion of American Collectors: Property of Barbara and Ira Lipman

Joyce, James | A first edition of Joyce's Ulysses

Lot Closed

December 16, 08:29 PM GMT

Estimate

7,000 - 10,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

The Passion of American Collectors: Property of Barbara and Ira Lipman


Joyce, James

Ulysses. Paris: Shakespeare & Company, 1922


4to (240 x 184 mm, uncut & mostly unopened). Title leaf and colophon clumsily opened, light marginal browning. Publisher's blue wrappers, upper cover lettered in white; slight fading, some darkening at edges, spine skillfully rebacked. Half blue morocco slipcase, spine lettered in gilt, chemise; some wear and rubbing.


Copy 671 of 750 numbered copies (of a whole edition of 1000) of the first edition of the most important and influential novel of the twentieth century.


The official date of publication for Ulysses was Joyce's birthday, 2 February 1922, but difficulties with the cover meant that in fact only two copies, both from the 1/750 issue, were actually ready that day. No further copies of any issue of Ulysses appeared from the printer until 9 February (when a further batch of the 1/750 arrived), followed by the first of the 1/100 on 13 February, and the 1/50 series on 4 March. It is now thought that this reflects the order in which Ulysses was actually printed.


REFERENCE

Slocum & Cahoon A17