Books

Paris: The Obelisk Press, 1938. First Printing. Stiff Wrappers. Near Fine+. True First Edition (with error in pagination at pp. 114-118), second issue (with erratum slip tipped onto title page), of Durrell's first significant novel and the first volume in the Villa Seurat Series, founded by Henry Miller, Anaïs Nin, and Lawrence and Nancy Durrell. 8vo (212 x 148mm): [10],11-260,[2]pp. As with all copies, pp. 114-118 were printed out of order (though paginated sequentially), with the correct sequence of text (pp. 114, 117, 115, 116, 118) written in holograph at foot of each affected page). Publisher's pale green heavy wrappers with French flaps (price of 75 Francs neatly blacked out on front flap), front panel with pale pink rectangle and obelisk motif, spine printed in black, bottom edge trimmed, others rough-trimmed. Small bookseller's label to fly-leaf (Librairie Sinfonia, 68, Champs Elysées, Paris). Gentle lightening to spine, light wear to extremities, mild tanning to about a…

Regarded by Durrell as the first book in his literary career, 'The Black Book' is an autobiographical novel with a blend of modernism and surrealism. It explores the life of Lawrence Lucifer in the gloomy atmosphere of London, full of vivid imagery and unique literary style.

Identifying a first edition of 'The Black Book' typically involves checking the publisher and publication date, as well as any statements on the dust jacket or copyright page indicating it is a first edition.