Signed book: Verbannte. One of just 600 copies. Switzerland: Rascher and Cie, 1919. Softcover, 5 x 7.5, 153 pages. Signed and inscribed on the first free end page, “J. S. Watson, Jun with grateful regards James Joyce, Zurich Switzerland 9 xi 1919.” Autographic condition: very good, with uniform toning to page, a few tape repairs to edges, reinforcement to binding edge, and a bit of paper loss to edges. Book condition: G/None. Green paper wraps; edges and spine completely reinforced with glued brown paper, with a hole cut out for name on spine; few minor creases and tears to front cover; pages yellowed and quite brittle; several pages uncut, with small chips and tears along edges. In a secure paper pocket within thick cardstock covers to prevent further damage.
Written while living in Zurich in 1918, Exiles was Joyce’s first and only attempt at writing a play. Though it was his least successful work, both critically and popularly, it did received a good amount of interest as Joyce’s career began to grow. This edition, translated into German and published by Rascher a year after its original publication, is the first time any of Joyce’s works were translated into another language. Inscribed to J. S. Watson, then-owner of the preeminent modern American literary magazine The Dial, this is a highly collectible edition from one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. RRAuction COA.
