The Bell Jar

Harper & Row Publishers, 1971. First American edition of Sylvia Plath's only novel, published posthumously. The first edition was published in the UK under Plath's pseudonym Victoria Lucas. Correct printed price of $6.95 and date code of 0471 on jacket. In back of the book is a biographical note by Lois Ames with 8 previously unpublished drawings by Sylvia Plath.

Book: Acceptable. Dust jacket: Very good. Front free endpaper missing and a good portion of the pages have underlining or margin markings throughout in pink and blue pen. Else clean. Binding and hinges secure. Publisher's red top stain and deckled fore-edge and bottom edge. Jacket protected in mylar and remains bright. One 1-inch closed tear along top edge near author's name and moderate scuffing to spine ends. Faint soiling to top page edge and top edges of boards as well. Spine ends have started to soften and board corners are scuffed. Slight musty odor to book and some foxing present to fore-edge. Overall, a still a nice copy despite the markings.