Published by Published by John Lane The Bodley Head Ltd., London Third UK Impression . 1960., 1960
Seller: Little Stour Books PBFA Member, Canterbury, United Kingdom
Association Member: PBFA
Third UK impression hard back binding in publisher's original carmine red cloth covered boards, gilt back. 8vo. 8'' x 5¼''. Book of the novel that inspired the 1960 film directed by Stanley Kubrick and the 2004 TV adaptation by Robert Dornhelm. Contains 368 pp with author's note to the American edition at page 7. Very Good condition book in Very Good condition dust wrapper with a monochrome photographic still to the rear cover showing Charlton Heston (who did not star in Spartacus), Peter Ustinov, Jean Simmons, and Nina Foch. Dust wrapper with rubbing to the surface of the paper to the spine and rear cover, red spine not sun faded, not price clipped, 16s. Dust wrapper supplied in archive acetate film protection. Member of the P.B.F.A. AMERICA [Literature].
Published by Published by John Lane The Bodley Head Ltd., London First UK Edition . 1952., 1952
Seller: Little Stour Books PBFA Member, Canterbury, United Kingdom
Association Member: PBFA
First Edition
First UK edition hard back binding in publisher's original carmine red cloth covered boards, gilt back. 8vo. 8'' x 5¼''. First UK edition of the novel that inspired the 1960 film directed by Stanley Kubrick and the 2004 TV adaptation by Robert Dornhelm. Contains 368 pp with author's note to the American edition at page 7. Very Good condition book in Good condition panoramic dust wrapper with piece of paper missing to the top front cover, red spine sun faded, not price clipped, 13s 6d. Dust wrapper supplied in archive acetate film protection. Member of the P.B.F.A. AMERICA [Literature].
Published by Bryna Productions & Universal Pictures Company, np, 1960
Seller: Letters Bookshop, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
First Edition
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. Tom Van Sant (illustrator). 1st Edition. [28pp, coated stock]; bound with printed endleaves into illustrated laminated boards, secured in printed french-fold jacket; 292 x 221 x 7 mm. Front endleaf as tp; rear endleaf a six-panel triptych foldout (with individual paintings of the lead actors). Jacket title: "Universal Takes Time to Try Harder". First such test press-kit in the industry (resulting from the use of an Eye Camera at six test engagements beginning 22 February 1960). "The test engagements on Spartacus were a new approach to a 'fact-finding media' never before used in the film business and could be of tremendous benefit for the future both to distribution and exhibition. I want to thank the enterprising exhibitors who assisted Universal in carrying out these tests to a successful conclusion. Hi Martin [front flap]." As a result of these preview screenings, all but one of the numerous battle scenes (filmed in Spain with a cast of 8000 Spanish infantry), were cut, to the director's undying dismay (Kubrick contemptuously disowning this his one movie without creative control). However the film, released 7 October 1960, rapidly became the all-time top grossing Universal picture (until 1970). Both the original writer, Howard Fast (who wrote the book in prison, jailed for refusing to "name names"), & screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (who had to use the name Sam Jackson to get on the studio lot), had been blacklisted throughout the Fifties (two of the infamous Hollywood Ten), the project representing their unexpected redemption (thanks to Kirk Douglas; & JFK who crossed a picket line to see the film). Directed by Stanley Kubrick, produced by Douglas & starring Laurence Olivier, Tony Curtis, Peter Ustinov (who won an Oscar), Jean Simmons & Charles Laughton, the film remains one of the epic indie success stories in Hollywood history, in part a veiled comment on McCarthyism. White jacket, a trifle toned about the edges, bears only two minor tears at foot. The sole other defect is a worn fore-edge on the terminal panel of the triptych foldout (ironically, depicting the star & director, Kirk Douglas). An extremely significant press-kit volume, elusive in dj.