Achebe, Chinua | Three volumes signed by the author, including first editions of his first two novels

Achebe, Chinua

A group of three volumes, signed by the author

Things Fall Apart. London: Heinemann, 1958. 8vo (190 x 125 mm). Inscribed on the flyleaf. Publisher's maroon cloth, spine gilt lettered, in original pictorial wrapper; 3 short closed tears at the head of the wrapper, light spotting and browning to rear panel, boards a bit rubbed, spine lightly sunned. In a green slipcase with folding chemise. — No Longer At Ease. London: Heinemann, 1960. 8vo (190 x 125 mm). Inscribed on the flyleaf; very light browning. Publisher's maroon cloth, spine gilt lettered, in original pictorial wrapper; wrapper with some light soiling and tiny chips at extremities, foot of spine bumped, slightly shelf-cocked. In a green slipcase with folding chemise. — Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor Books, 1994. 8vo (202 x 130 mm). Signed on the half-title. In original pictorial wrappers; a pristine copy. Housed in a green clamshell box. [With]: Brooklyn Academy of Music program for "Eat Drink & Be Literary | Chinua Achebe | Moderated by Bradford Morrow." New York: 15 May 2008. Folio (214 x 140 mm). Including a seating chart loosely inserted, ticket stub, and signed by Bradford Morrow. Housed in a gilt lettered, green cloth envelope.

Including first editions of Achebe's first and second novels, both inscribed by the author. Upon publication, Things Fall Apart was was quickly recognized as an essential text of modern, post-colonial African literature, and remains widely read today. No Longer At Ease, the title of which is borrowed from T.S. Eliot's "Journey of the Magi," continues the story of the protagonist's family, and was widely acclaimed for its depiction of Nigeria in the 1960s.

Also included is a signed copy of the fiftieth anniversary edition of Things Fall Apart, as well as a program and ephemera for a 2008 dinner event held at BAM, at which the works were signed.