Cormac McCarthy's 1st Novel, 1st Edition, 1st Impression - Review Copy !

Cormac McCarthy's debut novel The Orchard Keeper, from 1965, is set in Tennessee and won the William Faulkner Foundation Award. Sixty years later it's hard to find a first class copy as less than 4000 were printed and many of those went to libraries or suffered a hard life.

This copy is exceptional and considering its age I rate is as Fine. The boards are clean and sharp with one very small blemish to the front and a tiny amount of wear to the bottom corner. There are no bumps or scrapes to the covers and internally there's almost no trace of wear - just the slightest hint of toning to the endpapers.

The dustjacket has a split on the fold of the front flap but that is normal for this book. The binders scored the flap too deeply resulting in almost all copies showing a split over time. There's no chipping of the edges and just one small closed tear on the leading edge of the front flap. The only reason I've downgraded the dustjacket from Near Fine to VG is that at some point in it's life the printing on the spine has smudged - see photos for a close up.

Along with this handsome book is the original Random House review copy compliments slip.

The whole package is protected by a custom made solander box covered with rich purple cloth with bronze edges and gilt titling on the spine. It will look magnificent on your best bookshelf.

I have many more Cormac McCarthy items - check out my eBay listings !