Decision by Allen Drury (Signed Limited First Edition), 1983 ⚖️🇺🇸🏛️

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare, personally signed, limited first edition of Decision, a political novel by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Allen Drury. This book is an intellectual artifact that captures the drama of the nation’s highest court. Published in 1983 by The Franklin Library, this volume is a premier acquisition for any serious collector of modern literature, political fiction, or books with documented provenance.

This edition is a tangible connection to the legacy of a respected American author. Its documented authenticity and physical integrity make it a highly desirable piece, and a genuine collector's item due to its:

• Signed limited first edition status, published by a prestigious press.

• Author's personal signature.

• Factual importance as a work of political commentary.

 

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2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

Decision is a political novel that follows a newly appointed Supreme Court Justice as he is faced with a profound moral dilemma. The book's narrative explores the timeless themes of justice, legal process, and the tension between individual rights and national security. Drury's skill in capturing the political intrigue and drama of Washington, D.C., makes this a relevant work even today.

The novel provides a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the Supreme Court, a world few are privy to. The core conflict rests with Justice Tay Barbour, who must make a decision about a terrorist bombing case that affects him personally. The novel explores a range of political and social issues, including:

• The politicization of the judiciary and the influence of personal bias on legal decisions.

• A critique of the criminal justice system and the role of the media.

• The conflict between a politician's deeply held beliefs and personal ambition.

 

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3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

Allen Drury (1918-1998) was an American novelist, editor, and political correspondent. He is best known for his landmark novel, Advise and Consent, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1960. Drury drew extensively from his years of experience as a journalist covering the U.S. Senate, which gave his work a sense of authority and insider knowledge.

Drury’s work was praised for its ability to bring the drama of American politics to life for a mass audience. This volume is beautifully enhanced by the contributions of Malcolm Liepke, whose illustrations add a unique artistic dimension to this special edition.

 

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1983, this book is a "time capsule" of the Cold War era and the political landscape of the American 1980s. It reflects a period of immense national debate about terrorism, justice, and the role of the government in a time of global tension. The book’s narrative, with its focus on a Supreme Court case involving a bombing, was a reflection of the public anxieties of the time.

The book is a document of a cultural moment when the nation was grappling with a new political reality. It addresses a range of political and social issues that were at the forefront of public discussion, including the capital punishment debate and the difficult balance between individual rights and societal security.

 

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is for a curator of modern American literature, a scholar of legal history, or a private collector of unique fine press editions. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book's intellectual significance and its documented personal history.

The author's signature makes this a perfect fit for a collection that cherishes the intimate story behind an artifact. The book appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of:

• Law, politics, and literature.

• The inner workings of the American government.

• The high quality of a specialized publisher.

 

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a signed, limited first edition from a prestigious publisher, this book is a rare and desirable asset. The Franklin Library's editions, especially those signed by the author, are highly sought after by collectors. The value is a direct reflection of the book's enduring literary influence, its physical beauty, and the scarcity of a signed copy.

The book's worth is also enhanced by:

• Verifiable Authenticity: The book is a signed limited first edition published by special arrangement with Doubleday & Company, Inc.

• Literary Significance: The author won a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, which adds to the book's legacy and market value.

 

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is a well-preserved piece, showing the authentic wear of a cherished book from the late 20th century. The full genuine leather binding is in a solid state, with a tight binding and clean pages.

• Binding: The dark green leather binding is in excellent condition, with vibrant gilt lettering and design. The interior features green and yellow marbled endpapers. The pages are gilded with gold on all three sides.

• Interior: The pages are clean and show no signs of marks or stains. The binding is tight and sound.

• Signature: The book is personally signed by Allen Drury on the front endpaper.

 

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Allen Drury was a master of the political thriller, and his books were known for their ability to capture the complex inner workings of Washington, D.C., with incredible accuracy and detail.

• His experience as a political correspondent gave him a unique perspective on the world of American politics.

• The Franklin Library, the publisher of this book, specialized in producing high-quality limited editions with beautiful bindings, which are highly prized by collectors.

• Drury's landmark novel, Advise and Consent, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was made into an award-winning movie.

 

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Decision

• Author/Maker: Allen Drury

• Year: 1983

• Publisher/Foundry: The Franklin Library

• Place of Origin: Franklin Center, Pennsylvania, USA

• Format/Binding: Full Leather, Gilt Accents

• Edition: Signed Limited First Edition

• Rarity: Rare

• Transcription:

  [Signature of Allen Drury]

   

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10. Summary of The Franklin Library Collector's Letter 📜

The accompanying Franklin Library letter, addressed "Dear Collector," serves as a publisher's message about this special edition.

The letter highlights:

• The author's prominence and skill as a storyteller, and his connection to the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Advise and Consent.

• The timeliness of the novel's subject, which deals with issues such as terrorism, radical antagonism, and the progress of the law.

• A quote from journalist Ned Calmer, who praised Drury's ability to capture the "inner workings" of the U.S. Senate and its "arduous role" as the "focus and apex of the American judicial process".

The letter also emphasizes that the book is a "story that -- as Drury points out in his special message to you -- could very well happen". This provides a direct, personal appeal from the publisher to the collector, positioning the book as a work of both high drama and political reality.