George Orwell — Nineteen Eighty-Four

London, Secker & Warburg, 1949 . First edition. Cloth. The first edition, first impression of one of the most important works of fiction published in the 20th century. The first edition, first impressionof George Orwell's ground breaking work of dystopian fiction, the defining novel of the genre. A work of social commentary against totalitarianism, the effect of Nineteen Eighty-Four on the English language is extensive; the concepts of Big Brother, Room 101, the Thought Police, thoughtcrime, unperson, doublethink and Newspeak have become common phrases for denoting totalitarian authority. Former owner's inscription, dated 1952, to front free endpaper. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Significant fading to board perimeters - most concentrated to rear board - with light spotting and instances of handling marks to boards. Back strip age toned, and tenderly held to the head and tail only. Joints starting, with boards somewhat tender. Inscription to front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Good Only . Ill.: None. Good Only .