Seven Types of Ambiguity
London: Chatto and Windus, 1930.
First edition, first printing. Presentation copy signed by William Empson on the front free endpaper and dated March 1932. [vi], 325, [1] pp., printed on laid paper, several authorial ink corrections to text. Bound in publisher's first state orange cloth with spine lettered in gilt, orange topstain. Very Good with light bumping and wear, mottling to cloth, foxing to contents towards rear binding cracked at p. 1. Penciled marginalia throughout, contemporary newspaper review tipped to back free endpaper. In a Very Good unclipped dust jacket with heavy toning, light wear and soiling, and archival tape repair to verso.
A nice copy of the influential critical work, presented by William Empson to an unnamed friend with several corrections to the text. A foundational work of New Criticism, described by its current publisher New Directions as "one of the most widely read and quoted works of literary analysis." Quite scarce signed.
Price: $12,500