Alexandria: A History and a Guide.

FORSTER, E. M.

Published by Alexandria: Whitehead Morris, 1938

About this Item

Second and revised edition, signed limited issue, number 135 of 250 copies signed by the author and intended for members of the Royal Archaeological Society of Alexandria. Lawrence Durrell, author of the Alexandria Quartet (1957-60), wrote that in this work "the whole historical perspective of the city, in all its variety, has been captured and fixed in a series of short essays brightly starred with all the virtues of this fine artist. With a marvellous economy he brings the place to life - and gives life to the great personages who inhabited it: philosophers, poets, mathematicians, courtesans. Each portrait is a cameo. And the book despite its strictly utilitarian form and severely practical arrangement of matter is the work of a master essayist. It is in fact vintage Forster". The first edition of 1922 was destroyed in "a very large proportion" during the Blitz (Kirkpatrick, p. 39). In later years the author himself faced troubles securing a copy, leading him to state in a letter in 1956, "I am afraid both editions of my Alexandrias are extinct". Kirkpatrick A8b. Lawrence Durrell, "A Traveler in Egypt", New York Times, 15 Jan. 1961; E. M. Forster, autograph letter signed, sold by Peter Harrington, stock no. 128013. Octavo. Frontispiece, 6 sepia-toned photographic plates, double-page colour plate reproducing a mosaic, 3 folding maps or plans, another not folding, further illustrations in the text. Original orange boards, spine and front cover lettered in black, Greek key border to front cover in black. Shelf label on front pastedown. Spine faded and bumped at head, ghost of shelf label on spine foot, light soiling to bright covers, wear to one corner, short closed marginal tear to pp. 153/4. A very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 181861

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Alexandria: A History and a Guide.
• Publisher: Alexandria: Whitehead Morris, 1938
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)