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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.

  • Binding: The binding is a contemporary hardcover and shows authentic wear consistent with its age.

  • Pages: The pages have some expected discoloration, but the text remains clear and readable.

  • Structural Integrity: The binding is tight and sound, ensuring the book's structural integrity.


8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

  • 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.

  • The book's provenance, with a prior owner's handwritten inscriptions, adds a personal and historical dimension to its history.

  • The book also has patterned endpapers, which adds to its artistic value.


9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

  • Title: A Passage to India

  • Author/Maker: E.M. Forster

  • Year: 1924

  • Publisher/Foundry: Harcourt, Brace and Company

  • Place of Origin: New York, USA

  • Edition: First Edition, Second Printing

  • Format/Binding: Hardcover

  • Rarity: Rare

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