Two Sisters, Gore Vidal — 1st Edition
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Publication: London, William Heinemann Ltd, 1970
Formatting: 8vo, pp. 256.
Condition Report: Very Good. The volume remains tightly bound and square, retaining a firm structural integrity with sharp, brown cloth boards that show no significant shelf-wear, while the gilt lettering to the spine remains notably bright and unoxidised. Internally, the pages are clean and free from previous ownership signatures or egregious antiquarian markup, exhibiting only the expected minor, uniform age-toning to the text block edges. The original dust jacket is in very good condition, suffering no major tears or loss, and crucially remains unclipped, displaying the transitional dual-pricing of "30s / £1.50p net" on the front flap; it shows only faint surface rubbing and marginal age-toning to the rear panel, consistent with standard shelf storage.
Catalogue Note: This is a true first UK edition of Vidal's semi-autobiographical work. The presence of the unclipped transitional pricing on the dust jacket flap serves as a pleasing historical artifact of the British publishing industry's shift toward decimalisation during this precise period.
Unsigned and unmarked, the book represents a solid, highly collectable example of a title that, while relatively common on the open market, is becoming increasingly difficult to source in such remarkably crisp, unrubbed condition without the usual heavy edge-wear to the fragile dust jacket.
Blurring the conventional boundaries between fiction and autobiography, Two Sisters presents itself as a memoir wrapped ingeniously within a novel. Vidal weaves a complex, multi-layered narrative that reflects deeply on love, the fading of youth, and the shifting cultural landscapes of the mid-twentieth century, exploring the intertwined lives of his characters with his characteristic wit, sharp social observation, and stylistic elegance.
Book Condition: Very Good
Book Authors: Gore Vidal
Book Publisher: William Heinemann Ltd
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Fiction
Genre: Modern Fiction
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: No
Book Pages: 256
Book Publication Year: 1970
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: N/A
Book Series: N/A
Country/region of manufacture: Bristol, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| 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. |
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