Books

First edition, number 35 of 55 deluxe copies (from a total edition of 330 copies) specially bound by the Grey Parrot bindery quoting the infamous slogans of The Party on the front cover. Published in 1984, this sumptuous privately printed edition presents in facsimile all that survives of the preliminary draft versions of Nineteen Eight-Four, a manuscript described by Sonia Orwell as "the only MS of any of George's books in existence". Orwell's classic work of dystopian fiction was begun in 1946 and composed in four stages. The extant manuscript provides the narrative of Nineteen Eighty-Four in outline from the beginning almost to the conclusion, with some gaps. As noted by Peter Davison in his Introduction to this edition, "despite all the rewriting revealed by this facsimile, it is remarkable how closely what has survived adheres to the main sweep of the narrative of Nineteen Eighty-Four. All the principal features, except the Appendix on Newspeak, are present, suggesting that the story had been pretty fully formed in Orwell's mind by the time he sat down to write it". In 1952 Sonia Orwell contributed "the original manuscript of Orwell's last novel, partly in typescript but mainly in his own manuscript" to a charity auction at Christie's. It sold to Scribner's of New York who then arranged a sale to a collector in Kansas. Scribner's again handled the manuscript in 1969 when it was sold to Daniel G. Siegel. It is now at Brown University Library. This privately printed limited edition was limited to 330 copies of which there were two issues: 275 copies with morocco-backed marbled boards and 55 copies, described as "special copies" which are bound in full morocco by the Gray Parrot bindery, with a folding box. The present copy is from the smallest and most deluxe issue, and the only one with the party slogans incorporated into the binding. The volume comprises a preface by Daniel G. Siegel, an Introduction by Peter Davison, 190 colour facsimile illustrations and a full transcript of Orwell's manuscript. Folio. Original blue morocco with black onlays by Gray Parrot, Easthampton, spine lettered in gilt, panel to front cover with lettering "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength" in gilt. Light grey endpapers. Housed in original blue morocco-backed grey cloth folding box with spine lettered in gilt. 190 colour facsimile illustrations. Fine condition. Presented in original numbered cardboard carton.

"1984" is a dystopian novel set in a totalitarian society ruled by a party led by the enigmatic figure, Big Brother. The story revolves around Winston Smith, a disillusioned man working for the Party whose job involves altering historical records to align with the Party's propaganda. Winston secretly harbors dissenting thoughts against the oppressive regime and begins a forbidden love affair with Julia, a fellow rebel. As they engage in acts of rebellion and attempt to challenge the Party's control, they are drawn into a web of surveillance, manipulation, and betrayal. The novel explores themes of censorship, surveillance, the nature of truth, the dangers of totalitarianism, and the resilience of the human spirit against oppressive regimes.