[4 (blank)], [8], 732, [1] pp. 10¼x8, original blue-green wrappers lettered in white, sympathetically rebacked, page edges untrimmed and some unopened, housed in a custom blue cloth chemise and quarter blue-green morocco & marbled boards with gilt-lettered spine. One of 150 copies on Vergé D’Arches (numbered 101 to 250), this being copy No. 182. First Edition.
One of the greatest works of literature of the twentieth century, "Ulysses" can be viewed as the pinnacle of the Modernist movement, and its impact on all subsequent western literature is unmistakable. Such writers as Virginia Woolf, John Dos Passos, William Faulkner, Samuel Beckett, Malcolm Lowry, and Anthony Burgess have all paid tribute to Joyce's influence. In the original wrapper binding, spine is expertly replaced with matching blue-green paper, which slightly extends to the covers (one inch) at top and bottom edges on front and back. The first edition was issued in three limitation states, this being the second rarest, one of 150 copies. There is also an edition of 100 copies (signed) on Dutch handmade paper and an edition of 750 copies on handmade paper. According to James Spoerri, "This fortunate combination of printer [Maurice Darantiére and publisher Sylvia Beach] resulted in the appearance of 'Ulysses' as a book whose physical aspect is particularly suited to its content. It is a far and inviting volume, the blue and white of its covers subtly evocative of the Greece whose epic it so closely parallels." Slocum & Cahoon A17.
Condition:
Mild wrinkles, a few light scratches, tiny tears to edges, dark tan spots and 1½" tear along right side of rear cover; 2" tear to bottom margin of printer’s leaf (facing p. 732), other minor wear; black spots and slight fading to slipcase spine; very good or better overall.