LOT #45077 |
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D. H. Lawrence. The Rainbow....
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$10,000.00
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Description
D. H. Lawrence. The Rainbow. London: Methuen, 1915.8vo. With 4 pp. publisher's advertisements at end. Original blue-green cloth, lettered in blind on upper cover, gilt-decorated on spine; housed in a full morocco pull-off case with watered-silk chemise.
FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING. SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR on title-page. Widely considered one of Lawrence's greatest works, The Rainbow was banned in England shortly after its 1915 publication due to its explicit portrayals of sexual desire and relationships, which British authorities classified as obscene. More than 1,000 copies were confiscated and destroyed under the Obscene Publications Act of 1857. The ban in England lasted for 11 years, while editions continued to be distributed in the United States.
Condition: Lower fore-corners bumped and very slightly darkened; front hinge starting before title; text block cracked at center, but holding. Circular library stamp neatly washed from imprint on title page. A very bright fine copy.
References: Roberts A7.
[Laid-in:]
D. H. Lawrence. Autograph letter signed ("D. H. Lawrence"), to his literary agent J. B. Pinker. Hampstead N. W., 14 December 1915. 2 pages (recto and verso), 8vo.
Lawrence writes his literary agent discussing the title for Twilight in Italy, his upcoming travels, and publication of The Rainbow:
"My dear Pinker / I don't know what to call the book: something plain: Studies of Restless Italy - An Italian Winter - Uneasy Italy - Studies of Italian Restlessness. I can't think of anything - I like the last title best..." He goes on to discuss his upcoming travels and the publication of The Rainbow: "I hear Huebsch is sailing on the Peace Ship: is Doran too? When are they publishing The Rainbow, do you know. [undecipherable] wrote me that the Editor of the Metropolitan Magazine was praising the book enthusiastically - heaven knows why. Yours / D. H. Lawrence."
Provenance: The Library of a Minnesota Collector.
Auction Info
2025 December 15 Rare Books Signature® Auction #6323 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2025
15th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 246
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