A Passage to India by E.M. Forster (RARE First Edition, Second Printing), 1924 📜🇬🇧🇮🇳
A Passage to India by E.M. Forster (RARE First Edition, Second Printing), 1924 📜🇬🇧🇮🇳
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1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️
This is a rare first edition, second printing of A Passage to India by E.M. Forster, published in 1924 by Harcourt, Brace and Company.
This novel is a profound and poignant work of 20th-century literature and a premier acquisition for any serious collector of fine and historically significant first editions. The book's value is enhanced by its status as an early issue from a significant publisher, which makes it a highly sought-after collectible.
2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨
A Passage to India is a powerful critique of British imperialism and a deep exploration of the relationships between the British and Indians in colonial India. The narrative, centered on the mysterious incident in the Marabar Caves, is a masterpiece of psychological depth, social commentary, and elegant prose.
The book’s value is enhanced by its status as an early issue from a significant publisher, which makes it a highly sought-after collectible. The novel, as a whole, serves as a literary time capsule of a specific moment in British and Indian history.
3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨
Edward Morgan Forster (1879-1970) was an English novelist, short story writer, essayist, and librettist. He is known for his novels, which often examine class difference and hypocrisy in 20th-century British society. His work, which was often critical of social conventions, earned him a dedicated readership. A Passage to India is considered his masterpiece and is a landmark of 20th-century literature.
4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜
This book is a tangible link to a pivotal era in British and Indian history: the twilight of the British Raj. Written at a time when the British Empire was facing growing opposition from the Indian independence movement, the novel reflects the political and social tensions of the era.
Forster's work provided a powerful, fictionalized look at the prejudices and misunderstandings inherent in the colonial system, helping to shape public perception and intellectual discourse on the subject. The book’s publication served as a cultural commentary on the twilight of the British Empire.
5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️
This 1924 First Edition, Second Printing of A Passage to India is a core acquisition for a collector building a focused library on 20th-century literature and British colonial history.
It is a perfect fit for a literary historian who appreciates a book's status as a well-preserved artifact that bridges the gap between literature and fine art. This book speaks directly to an individual who values a work not just for its physical rarity but for its intellectual, cultural, and historical importance.
The book’s inclusion of a “HBMC” and “Harbrace Modern Classics” marking indicates it is a later issue of the first edition, which is still highly sought after by collectors seeking early printings of significant works.
6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️
This 1924 First Edition, Second Printing of A Passage to India is a genuinely scarce asset.
The book is 101 years old, having survived over a century of history.
7. Condition 🔎📚✨
This copy is a genuine and handsome survivor, showing the authentic wear of a cherished book from the mid-20th century.
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Binding: The binding is a contemporary hardcover and shows authentic wear consistent with its age.
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Pages: The pages have some expected discoloration, but the text remains clear and readable.
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Structural Integrity: The binding is tight and sound, ensuring the book's structural integrity.
8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩
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The book’s inclusion of a "HBMC" and "Harbrace Modern Classics" marking indicates it is a later issue of the first edition, which is still highly sought after by collectors seeking early printings of significant works.
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The book's provenance, with a prior owner's handwritten inscriptions, adds a personal and historical dimension to its history.
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The book also has patterned endpapers, which adds to its artistic value.
9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰
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Title: A Passage to India
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Author/Maker: E.M. Forster
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Year: 1924
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Publisher/Foundry: Harcourt, Brace and Company
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Place of Origin: New York, USA
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Edition: First Edition, Second Printing
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Format/Binding: Hardcover
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Rarity: Rare














