The Scorpions, Robert Kelly — 1st UK Edition

£35.00

The Scorpions, Robert Kelly — 1st UK Edition

Name: The Scorpions, Robert Kelly — 1st UK Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4481
Price: 35.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Calder and Boyars Ltd, 1969

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 188.

Condition Report: Very Good. The dark cloth binding remains impressively tight and square, showing negligible shelf-wear, while the gilt titling to the spine remains sharp, bright, and unoxidised. Internally, the pages are crisp, clean, and free from any egregious age-toning or previous ownership inscriptions, reflecting careful preservation. The unclipped dust jacket retains its striking, geometric vibrancy, exhibiting only minor edge-wear, faint surface rubbing to the rear panel, and a slight crease to the front flap, presenting beautifully overall.

Catalogue Note: This is the First UK Edition of Robert Kelly's debut novel, published by Calder and Boyars in 1969 following its initial 1967 US release by Doubleday. The title page features a striking, esoteric diagram filled with astrological and alchemical symbols, reflecting the novel's thematic fixation on rituals and the occult.

As a prominent poet stepping into prose, Kelly delivered a highly experimental narrative characteristic of the late-1960s literary avant-garde. Copies of this UK edition that retain their original, unclipped dust jackets in such well-preserved condition are becoming increasingly uncommon on the open market, making this an excellent acquisition for collectors of postmodern, countercultural, or surrealist fiction.

A highly imaginative and surreal descent into paranoia, The Scorpions follows the meticulously regimented life of an unnamed New York psychiatrist whose world is abruptly upended by a patient’s claims of an 'ultra-violet race' known as the Scorpions. Embarking on an obsessive, hallucinatory road trip to Fort Lauderdale in a heavily equipped, defensive Rolls-Royce named Kelvin, the protagonist is drawn into an aberrant American landscape of flesh-worshipping cults, left-wing eccentrics, and mysterious assassins. Blurring the line between reality and delusion, Kelly’s debut brilliantly subverts the psychological thriller, blending dark humour, Sadean eroticism, and esoteric philosophy to question the very nature of narrative and obsession.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Robert Kelly

Book Publisher: Calder and Boyars Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 188

Book Publication Year:

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Bath, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.