ISLANDIA. New York: Farrar & Rinehart, Inc., [1942]. Octavo, pp. [i-iv] v-viii [ix-x] [1-2] 3-1013 [1014], original buckram cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black and gold, top edge stained green, fore-edge rough trimmed, endpaper maps. First edition. First printing with F&R monogram on copyright page. "This long, poetic and vivid novel, composed circa 1908-1929, transcribed by the author's widow and condensed by his daughter, was the lifework of its author, a respected scholar and teacher of admiralty law ... The novel critiques the materialism and moralism of early twentieth-century American culture, offering the alternative of a civilized but largely pre-technological society strongly reminiscent of William Morris' 'Nowhere.' ... Wright advocates a retreat from modernism to a simpler, more sensual, and more leisurely way of life" (N. Jacobs). "... one of the few science fiction books that is indisputably a great work of literature" (Jane Hipolito). Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-1286. Barron, ed., Fantasy and Horror (1999) 5-330. Barron, ed., Fantasy Literature 3-382. Fortunati and Trousson, eds., Dictionary of Literary Utopias, p. 321. Lewis, Utopian Literature, pp. 213-215. Negley, Utopian Literature 1215. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 224. Survey of Science Fiction Literature II, pp. 1084-88. Bleiler (1978), p. 212. Reginald 15640. Hanna, A Mirror for the Nation 3897. A fine copy in bright, nearly fine dust jacket with light wear at spine ends and clipped price. A sharp copy. Scarce in superior condition. Accompanied by a fine copy of AN INTRODUCTION TO ISLANDIA by Basil Davenport, in lightly chipped unprinted tissue dust jacket. Both volumes enclosed together in a two-part custom green cloth slipcase with leather title piece affixed to the spine. (#152148).
Price: $1,250.00
First printing has F&R monogram on copyright page.