1949 First Edition beautifully bound by BAYNTUN - NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR [1984] by George Orwell.
Author: George Orwell.
Title: Nineteen Eighty-Four [1984].
Language: Text in English.
Publisher: London: Secker & Warburg, 1949. First Edition, First Printing with the words "First Published 1949" printed on the copyright page.
Size: 7.5 " X 5 ".
Pages: 312 pages.
Binding: Attractive and fine exquisite binding by Bayntun-Riviere finely bound in full grey morocco leather, the front cover with "George Orwell" lettered in gilt. Smooth spine with "1984" in gilt in large numerals in a red fillet compartment, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt (hinges fine) under a protective removable mylar cover. An elegant and wonderful binding!
Content: Fine content (bright, tight, and clean - as shown).
The book: Exquisite first edition of Nineteen Eighty-Four: A Novel, often referred to as 1984, is a dystopian social science fiction novel by the English novelist George Orwell (the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair). It was published on 8 June 1949 by Secker & Warburg as Orwell's ninth and final book completed in his lifetime. Thematically, Nineteen Eighty-Four centers on the consequences of totalitarianism, mass surveillance, and repressive regimentation of persons and behaviors within society. Orwell, himself a democratic socialist, modeled the authoritarian government in the novel after Stalinist Russia. More broadly, the novel examines the role of truth and facts within politics and the ways in which they are manipulated.
A Masterpiece in a wonderful Bayntun-Riviere binding!
The author: Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950), known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English essayist, journalist, and critic. His work is characterized by lucid prose, biting social criticism, opposition to totalitarianism, and outspoken support of democratic socialism.
The binder: George Bayntun was born in 1873 in Bath, England. After an apprenticeship, he began his own bookbinding business in Bath in 1894, binding books by hand with great craftsmanship. Although many binders were using machines in their process, Bayntun refused to use modern techniques.
In 1920, George Baynton purchased the business of George Gregory, Bookseller. The shop was frequently visited by Queen Mary throughout his final years.
In 1939, the George Bayntun firm acquired the Rivière Bindery, and Bayntun passed away the following year. The firm has continued throughout the years under different managers through the family line and was granted the appointment of Bookseller to Her Majesty in 1950. The Bayntun-Rivière Bindery firm has been in residence on Manvers Street in Bath since 1939. Their books are still bound by hand, and the firm is world-famous for its fine bindings, restoration, and conservation work.