Leila by J.P. Donleavy (Signed First Edition), 1983 📜✍️🎩

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a signed first edition of Leila, a work of fiction by J.P. Donleavy. Published in 1983by The Franklin Library, this book is a document of 20th-century satire. It captures the voice and wit of a literary figure.

The book's status as a signed first edition makes it a suitable item for a collection of modern literature. The Franklin Library's letter to the collector provides a look into the historical context of Donleavy's writing.

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2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

Leila is a satirical novel that continues the story of Darcy Dancer, an Irish aristocrat. In this narrative, Dancer flees Dublin for a dilapidated mansion with a "hare-brained servant staff." The novel documents themes of love, desire, and human relationships, with Donleavy's use of dark humor and observations.

The book's Franklin Library design, with its full-leather binding and marbled endpapers, is a record of the high-quality publishing of the era. The frontispiece portrait by Stan Hunter adds to the visual appeal of the book.

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3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

J.P. Donleavy (1926-2017) was an Irish-American author, short story writer, and playwright. He achieved critical acclaim with his novel The Ginger Man, which was named one of the "100 Best Novels of the 20th Century" by the Modern Library.

Donleavy was born in Brooklyn, New York, and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before moving to Ireland to study at Trinity College Dublin. He became an Irish citizen in 1967. His works are documented for their prose and characters.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1983, this book is a record of the late 20th century. The book's narrative reflects themes of alienation and the challenges facing the "high-spirited and highly cultivated aristocracy" of post-war Ireland.

The publisher's letter notes that the book documents the decline of a social class. The book's publication provides a look at the social satire of the era.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a curator of modern literature, a scholar of satire, or a private collector of unique first editions. It is an acquisition for an individual who values a book's historical content and its documented personal history.

The author's signature makes this a suitable item for a collection that documents the personal story behind an artifact. The book appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of literature and social commentary.

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a signed first edition, this book is a scarce item. First editions of a popular and well-regarded author, especially those that are personally signed, are difficult to find in good condition. The price is a direct reflection of the book's cultural influence, its physical integrity, and the scarcity of a signed copy.

The book's value as a literary and physical artifact makes it a suitable acquisition. This is a non-replicable asset class. The item is 42 years old.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is in pristine, collector-grade condition.

• The book is a deluxe edition with a full-leather binding, gilded page edges, and elaborate decorative motifson the cover and spine.

• The original marbled endpapers are intact and vibrant.

• The book's structural integrity is intact, and it remains in a readable state.
  

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8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book is a signed edition from The Franklin Library and is personally signed by J.P. Donleavy. The signature is in black ink and is a clear example of Donleavy’s handwriting. The frontispiece portrait is the work of Stan Hunter.

This limited first edition was published by special arrangement with Seymour Lawrence, Delacorte Press, and Penguin Books Ltd.

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9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Donleavy's novel The Ginger Man was banned in Ireland and the United States.

• The book was praised for its "original treatment of voice."

• Donleavy was a recipient of the Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to Irish literature in 2015.

• A line from Donleavy's novel A Fairy Tale of New York provided the title for the famous song "Fairytale of New York."