The Penitent by Isaac Bashevis Singer (Signed Limited First Edition), 1983 📜✍️💎

 

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a signed limited first edition of The Penitent by Isaac Bashevis Singer, a Nobel Prize-winning author. Published in 1983 by The Franklin Library, this book is an exploration of faith, identity, and the modern world.

The book's status as a signed first edition from a prestigious publisher makes this 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 Singer's writing.

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2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

The Penitent tells the story of Joseph Shapiro, a Holocaust survivor who rejects his life in America for a spiritual path in ultra-Orthodox Judaism in Israel. The narrative is an examination of faith, the search for meaning, and a critique of modern consumerism.

The book’s frontispiece illustration of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem by Herbert Tauss adds a visual element to the text. The physical book itself, with its full-leather binding and gilded pages, is a record of the high-quality publishing of the era.

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3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

Isaac Bashevis Singer (1904-1991) was a Polish-born American writerand a figure in modern Yiddish literature. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1978. His work is known for its blend of irony and wit, often incorporating Jewish folklore and mysticism.

Singer’s writing was translated from Yiddish into English, bringing the world of Polish Jewry to a global audience. The Franklin Library specialized in producing high-quality limited editions of classic works. The company's letter to the collector provides insight into Singer’s life and artistic process.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1983, this book is a record of a transitional era. It reflects a period of change in American Jewish life and a conversation about the relationship between tradition and modernity. The book's narrative, with its focus on a man who rejects the secular world for a life of faith, was a commentary on the consumerism of the time.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a curator of modern literature, a scholar of Jewish studies, or a private collector of unique first editions. It is an acquisition for an individual who values a book for its literary and historical content. 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 faith, history, and the power of ideas.

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a signed, limited first edition from a Nobel Prize-winning author, this book is a scarce and desirable asset. The Franklin Library's editions, especially those signed by the author, are sought after by collectors. The value is a direct reflection of the book's literary influence, its physical beauty, 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 hardcover, a full genuine leather binding, is in a solid state, with a tight binding and clean pages.

• The gilded pages are bright, with some minor fading.
  

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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 Isaac Bashevis Singer. The signature is in blue ink and is a clear, bold example of Singer’s handwriting. The frontispiece illustration is a drawing of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem by Herbert Tauss.

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9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Singer was a lifelong vegetarian and he often included vegetarian themes in his books.

• His short story "Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy" was adapted into a film starring and directed by Barbra Streisand.

• Singer's book Enemies, a Love Story was also adapted into a popular film.

• He was a member of Writers and Artists for Peace in the Middle East, a pro-Israel group.