William Golding. Stated first American edition. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1964. Both unclipped dust jacket (in a mylar wrapper) ans hardcover are in Near Fine condition. No writing or markings found in this well-preserved copy, 215 pp. Jacket design by the great Paul Bacon. Original price $3.95 still on inside flap. This is a highly collectible edition.
Golding won a Pulitzer Prize for Literatire in 1983 for all his writing efforts including Lord of the Flies (1954). The Spire is considered, by many, one of his best works and was published after LOTF. In 2008, The Times ranked Golding third on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945."
Immerse yourself in a pristine first edition of “The Spire” by celebrated Nobel laureate William Golding. This is the first American printing (New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1964) — complete with its original dust jacket designed by the renowned graphic artist Paul Bacon.
📚 Edition & Condition: First American edition, hardcover, 215 pages. Both the book and dust jacket are in Near Fine condition — crisp boards, tight binding, clean pages, and no writing or markings. The jacket features the intact original price ($3.95) on the flap and is protected in an archival-quality mylar sleeve.
✨ Why this copy stands out: A beautiful, well-preserved example of a mid-20th-century classic — ideal for collectors, libraries, or anyone looking to own a piece of literary history. The original dust jacket is rare to find in such excellent shape, and the Paul Bacon wrap gives the book aesthetic appeal both on the shelf and in display.
About the book: “The Spire” is regarded by many as one of Golding’s finest works. Following his breakout success with “Lord of the Flies,” this powerful novel chronicles the obsessive drive behind the construction of a cathedral spire — a dark and psychologically rich tale blending ambition, faith, art, and the human condition.
Author prestige: William Golding won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1983 and remains a towering figure among British writers of the 20th century.
Whether you’re a serious book collector, a fan of classic literature, or an admirer of mid-century book design — this first American edition of “The Spire” is a rare gem that offers both literary significance and collectible value.
