Blatty, William (1971) ‘The Exorcist’, US signed first edition beautiful rebind with unique design

William Peter Blatty (1971) ‘The Exorcist‘, US first edition, first printing, published by Harper & Row, signed by the author on the front free endpaper. The book has been beautifully rebound with no expenses spared with an intricate and unique design by master craftsman and prize-winning binder Richard Tong from Lyra’s Books and The Ludlow Bindery in Shropshire, UK. The book is housed in a solander box with an upside down cross showing at the front and the title on the spine. The inside of the box is lined with red smooth suede protecting the book perfectly. The book has been rebound in finest black Nigerian goatskin. The front shows two crosses – one regular Christian/ Catholic symbol cross and an upside down cross – representing the forces of good and evil. The spine has the title blocked in gold. The pastedowns and endpapers are glowing red with swirling gold representing the fires of hell. Silk ribbon marker bound in. The top edge is gilded whilst the front and bottom page block has been left in their original condition. The original first edition has American rough cut ends and altering this would have meant to trim the edges which we wanted to avoid. We have also kept the original ochre coloured endpapers. The front free endpaper is the original where author William Blatty has penned his signature. Internally all pages are clean. There are no previous owner’s inscriptions, no stamps and no bookplates.

Condition: presents in fine condition

‘The Exorcist’ is one of the finest Horror books of the 20th century, and famously adapted by Blatty into the equally landmark 1973 horror film directed by William Friedkin. Blatty received an Academy Award/ Oscar for the screenplay. In total the film was nominated for ten Oscars.