Alan Sillitoe

A signed first edition, first printing of Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, with handwritten letters.

• Sold as a set of 3: 1 book and 2 letters.
• Alan Sillitoe (English).
• London: W. H. Allen 1958.
• The author’s signature is boldly flat signed in black ink to the full title page.
• Presented in the famous dust wrapper, illustrated by Mona Moore and depicting Arthur Seaton and Doreen, which has not been price clipped and shows the original ‘W.H. Alen 13s 6d net’ price in bold, red lettering.
• Bound in the publisher’s red buckram with gilt titling.
• The accompanying handmade clamshell box was crafted by Heritage Bindery in California and is constructed in quarter calf with raised bands at the spine and marble-effect paper, which is finely detailed with gold, the gilt titling on the spine gives the novel’s title, year of publication and states that it is a ‘Signed Copy’.

Successfully made into a film starring the legend Albert Finney. Rare Author’s first novel and unbelievably scarce signed. Originally titled ‘The Adventures of Arthur Seaton’, the idea came to Sillitoe when chatting to poet Robert Graves, who in response to Sillitoe’s worries coolly suggested he wrote about the place he knew best – Nottingham.

The accompanying letters, one of which is with the original envelope, are entirely written in Sillitoe’s hand, and are addressed to a Mr. A. Azzini, who presumably sent the author his book and accompanying request to be signed.

The enveloped letter (with accompanying French stamps) reads:

‘St-Pargoire August 1st. 1989.

Dear Mr. Azzini, your letter has been passed on to me here in France – for which many thanks. I shall be back in England early in October, so if you would contact me again at that time I will sign your book*. I shall be at: 14 Ladbroke Terr London W11 3PG –>

All best wishes,

Alan Sillitoe.

*With appropriate return postage!’.

The author’s ‘S’ in this instance varies from his typical signature and is written with a flourish to the hand.

The second letter reads:

‘14 Ladbroke Terr. London W.11. 3PG,

Dear Mr. Azzini,

I am now back in London so can sign your books whenever you care to send them.

Sincerely,

Alan Sillitoe’.

Shorter than the first, Sillitoe’s signature still flourishes.