DOS PASSOS, John (1896-1970)

One Man's Initiation : 1917 [First State]

London: George Allen and Unwin, 1920. First Edition. Hardcover. First (and only) Impression, First State, of the author's first books, one of only 750 copies printed and bound. Small 8vo: 128pp. Publisher's pale blue mesh cloth, front cover and spine stamped in navy blue, text printed on heavy stock white wove paper; drab dust jacket printed in black and priced 6/- net First State (per Ahearn) denoted by broken "d" and the word "flat" obliterated on p.35, line 32. End papers offset from jacket flaps, else a virtually pristine example, apparently unread, in a superb jacket. Potter 1. Hanna 1027. Ahearn, p. 230. Seybolt, p. 22. Fine / Fine. Item #BB1855

Dos Passos’s literary debut, an autobiographical antiwar novel, chronicling his experiences as an ambulance driver in France during the First World War. "Although the English printers had demanded changes to avoid charges of libel and blasphemy, they perhaps needn’t have worried: the novel was almost totally ignored by both customers and critics alike, and sold only 63 copies in its first six months." (Literary Encyclopedia) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $724.00