My Brilliant Friend [signed, limited edition]

London: The Cuckoo Press, in association with Europa Editions for John Sandoe (Books) Ltd, 2015. First edition thus, one of one hundred numbered copies, of a total edition of 126 copies, signed by the author. 315 pp. Quarter Japanese silk, Chiyogami blue and gold paper boards, spine and printed label lettered in gilt. Slightest touch of rubbing to slipcase corners, else a fine copy, as new.

A beautiful special edition of the first in Ferrante’s Neapolitan quartet, a literary phenomenon. In a recent poll of writers and critics, My Brilliant Friend was voted the best novel since 2000 by the New York Times. The publishers at Sandoe worked closely with Ferrante’s publishers Europa (for the English translation) and E/O (for the original Italian), and were able through these channels to reach out to the author to see if she would be amenable to a limited hardcover edition of her work; she was, and thus the title-page and colophon page were printed and sent to Rome for Ferrante to sign. The pseudonymous Ferrante guards her privacy fiercely, and this edition is likely the only opportunity for a genuine signed copy of her work. The book was designed by John de Falbe & Hero von Friesen, printed by Anthony Eyre at The Letterpress of Cirencester, and handsewn and handbound at the Black Fox Bindery. (Inventory #: 2515)