Books

First U.S. edition of the author's first novel, SIGNED BY JOHN FOWLES on the title page. Near-fine with a touch of sunning to the spine ends, otherwise bright and clean inside and out. In a near-fine dust jacket ($4.95 price intact) with a trace of rubbing at the corners. Basis for the renowned 1965 William Wyler film. A beautiful signed copy, suitable to give as a gift. We have the largest selection of John Fowles first editions for sale in the world--please inquire about our multiple-purchase discounts, or if you need assistance with building a Fowles collection.

The Collector is the debut novel of English author John Fowles. It was first published in 1963 by Jonathan Cape and is about a lonely young man, Frederick Clegg, who works as a clerk in a city hall and collects butterflies in his spare time. Clegg is infatuated with Miranda Grey, a middle-class art student at the Slade School of Art. Unable to make any contact with her but obsessed with his unrelenting desire, Clegg decides to add her to his 'collections' by kidnapping her and holding her captive in the cellar of his rural farmhouse. What follows is a chilling exploration of power, art, freedom, and the consequences of human actions.