UTZ (First edition - first impression)

First impression of the true first edition - the last book that was published in Chatwin's lifetime. ***Near fine in black cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The boards are clean and unmarked. No bumps or creases. Corners sharp. Binding straight with no reading lean. Spine tight. Page block edges clean with just some light foxing to the top edge. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions. Pages clean and bright. No creases or tears. Spine tight. ***In a near fine colour illustrated dustwrapper, that has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of £9.95 net. No chips or tears. No creases. No fading. Dustwrapper bright. ***154 pages. 224mm x 142mm. ***'Harbouring his private collection of Meissen porcelains, Kasper Utz found a refuge from the horrors of the twentieth century. Compared with the exquisite reality of his figurines, rescued and safe in the illusionist city of Prague, the Gestapo and the Secret Police were to Utz as 'creatures of tinsel'. ***By modelling and remodelling the figure of Utz as each new detail about his life is unearthed, Bruce Chatwin offers an insight into the fictional process itself. The artistry, as always, is made to look simple, yet Chatwin's work stands out among contemporary writing as something valuable and rare.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***'Charles Bruce Chatwin FRSL (13 May 1940 - 18 Jan 1989) was an English travel writer, novelist and journalist. His first book, "In Patagonia" (1977), established Chatwin as a travel writer, although he considered himself instead a storyteller, interested in bringing to light unusual tales. He won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for his novel "On the Black Hill" (1982), while his novel "Utz" (1988) was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. In 2008 The Times ranked Chatwin as number 46 on their list of "50 Greatest British Writers Since 1945." (Wiki) ***A near fine first impression of the first edition of Bruce Chatwin's novel "Utz". A nice collectable copy. ***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.…