New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1970
presentation copy of Naipaul's historical study of Venezuala and Trinidad.
The Nobel prize winning author's far reaching study of his native land which delves into the untold stories of pre-colonisation and the Spanish obsession with El Dorado. Although known primarily for his status in literary fiction, the book was ranked highly among academics and historians and lauded for its ability to uncover the psychology depth behind the thousands of archives and primary sources which Naipaul researched.
Naipaul recalls in A Turn in the South, 'I was given the name of a writer who had been educated at Tuskegee, Al Murray. He was, or had been, a protégé of Ralph Ellison...His sitting room was full of books and records...the books were a serious collection of twentieth-century American writing in first or very early editions.' Al Murray would later say, 'Naipaul is like a satellite in orbit. He's got an objectivity that no one else has, and he knows that the past is an albatross.' Inscribed, literary association copies of Naipaul's works are distinctly uncommon.
First US edition, first impression; 8vo (22 x 15 cm); presentation copy, signed on the title page, 'V.S. Naipual for Al Murray', cartographic endpapers, top edge stained; original burgundy cloth, author's initials blind stamped to upper board, title and floral detail gilt stamped to spine, slightly rubbed, with the dust jacket in a later state, a good copy.
The Nobel prize winning author's far reaching study of his native land which delves into the untold stories of pre-colonisation and the Spanish obsession with El Dorado. Although known primarily for his status in literary fiction, the book was ranked highly among academics and historians and lauded for its ability to uncover the psychology depth behind the thousands of archives and primary sources which Naipaul researched.
Naipaul recalls in A Turn in the South, 'I was given the name of a writer who had been educated at Tuskegee, Al Murray. He was, or had been, a protégé of Ralph Ellison...His sitting room was full of books and records...the books were a serious collection of twentieth-century American writing in first or very early editions.' Al Murray would later say, 'Naipaul is like a satellite in orbit. He's got an objectivity that no one else has, and he knows that the past is an albatross.' Inscribed, literary association copies of Naipaul's works are distinctly uncommon.
First US edition, first impression; 8vo (22 x 15 cm); presentation copy, signed on the title page, 'V.S. Naipual for Al Murray', cartographic endpapers, top edge stained; original burgundy cloth, author's initials blind stamped to upper board, title and floral detail gilt stamped to spine, slightly rubbed, with the dust jacket in a later state, a good copy.
About us
Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.
Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.
We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.
