Books

Hardcover. Number 53 of 200 numbered copies. An elegant edition of this well known work by Nabokov, first published in 1962. The novel is presented as a 999-line poem titled "Pale Fire," written by the fictional poet John Shade, with a foreword, lengthy commentary and index written by Shade's neighbor and academic colleague, Charles Kinbote. [Wikipedia] The full text of the book is printed in one volume, and is accompanied by smaller volume with just the text of the poem. Both volumes are bound in violet cloth covers, with a circular title label in gold. Gilt titling to spine. The book was designed and produced by Andrew Hoyem. Printed on Somerset paper mould made in England. The tyoe is Fridericus. The colophon refers to the small oblong volume as an extra copy of the poem printed in the same manner as the novel but in this small format. Both volumes as housed in a tan cloth covered slipcase with a violet tltle label to spine. Slipcase has a small mark on its rear cover that might have been where a label appeared. With the bookplate of James Strohn Copley affixed to front pastedown. Copley (1916 1973) was an American journalist and newspaper publisher. He published the San Diego Union and the San Diego Evening Tribune, both later merged into The San Diego Union-Tribune in 1992, from 1947 until his death in 1973, and was President of the Inter American Press Association . [Wikipedia] In fine condition. Text volume measures 7 x 11 inches and is 284 pages. Poem volume measures 4 x 6 inches and is 80 pages plus colophon. PRI/100424.

Pale Fire is a 1962 novel by Vladimir Nabokov. The novel is presented as a 999-line poem titled 'Pale Fire', written by the fictional poet John Shade, with a foreword, lengthy commentary and index by Shade's neighbor and academic colleague, Charles Kinbote. Together these elements form a narrative in which both fictional authors are central characters. The novel has been hailed as one of Nabokov's most complex and rewarding works and one of the greatest novels of the 20th century.