The Collector
Hard Cover. London: Jonathan Cape, 1963. First Edition. Near Fine / Dust Jacket Included.
First edition, first printing of the author's first book. Presentation copy, signed and inscribed by Fowles to the front endpaper: "To Margaret Davies/ with the author's regards/ John Fowles/ [crossed out number] October 1st, 1963/ Cheltenham." Original publisher's orange cloth, spine lettered in gilt; original first issue dust jacket, designed by Tom Adams. About fine with a slight lean to spine; in an unclipped dust jacket with a very slight touch of toning the upper spine ends and some mild toning to rear panel, and two tiny abrasion at front panel and spine, else fine. A beautiful inscribed copy of the author's scarce first book. The Collector is a chilling psychological thriller that puts the reader into the mind of both abductor and captive. The story follows the abduction of Miranda Gray, a middle-class art student, by Frederick Clegg, a lonely and psychotic young clerk. Believing Miranda will fall in love with him in time, he keeps her captive in his basement, where he keeps his butterfly collection. Aspects of the story can be interpreted as commentary on the changing class structure of 1960s England, as it "dramatizes the clash between a socially entrenched, wealthy middle class and an underprivileged but upwardly mobile working or lower middle class." John Fowles' first book, The Collector was a sensation and was adapted into a film by the same name soon after publication.
Item #JFW003
Price: $1,400.00
