CONCLAVE (First edition - first impression - near fine copy - sprayed black page block edges)

First impression of the true first edition, with the full number-string sequence including the no. "1" on the printer's page: 1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2. This copy has the sprayed black edges which appeared on some of the earliest copies of the first impression - later copies had the standard white page block edges (one of which we also have listed on ABE). ***Near fine in black cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The boards are clean and unmarked. No bumps or creases other than a very slight crease to the top corner of the front board. No rubbing. Corners sharp. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Page block edges sprayed black by the publisher. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions. No foxing. Pages clean. No creases or tears. Illustrated endpapers showing God's finger connecting with man from the Sistine Chapel ceiling. With integral black reading ribbon place-marker. ***In a near fine colour-illustrated dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of £20.00. The dustwrapper is virtually flawless. No creases. No chips or tears. The spine colour remains completely unfaded - clean and bright. ***287 pages plus two pages of Acknowledgements at the back of the book. 242mm x 160mm. ***'The Pope is dead. Behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, one hundred and eighteen cardinals from all over the globe will cast their votes in the world's most secretive election. They are holy men. But they have ambition. And they have rivals. Over the next seventy-two hours one of them will become the most powerful spiritual figure on earth.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***'Robert Dennis Harris CBE (born 7 March 1957) is a British novelist and former journalist. Although he began his career in journalism and non-fiction, he is best known for his works of historical fiction. Beginning with the best-seller "Fatherland", Harris focused on events surrounding the Second World War, followed by works set in ancient Rome. His most recent works are varied in settings but are mostly set after 1870. Several of Harris's novels have been adapted into visual media, with the most prominent being "The Ghost Writer" (2010) and "An Officer and a Spy" (2019), for which he co-wrote the screenplays with director Roman Polanski, and "Conclave" (2024). ***First impression of the true first edition, in the original dustwrapper, in beautiful collector's condition. Becoming very hard to find in first impression - especially being the variant with the black sprayed page block edges. Filmed in 2024. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc. …