The World According To Garp

Hardcover

1st

5th

Third Person

Fiction

437

19

2018-06-26 17:56:24

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. E. P. Dutton, New York, 1978. Hard Cover. Book Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. Stated ”FIRST EDITION”, first printing with a full number line starting with ”1”. 9-5/8” tall, 437 numbered pages; lightly patterned butterscotch boards with medium blue cloth quarter binding, gilt lettering on spine only; plain raspberry red end pages; fore edge is not trimmed. Book has slight lean to it, both top corners lightly bumped; hinges tight; heel of spine very lightly bumped; original owner s name/city/date in ink at top of FFEP; pages 21-22 have 1-1/4” closed tear near bottom at spine--a manufacturing defect; pages 373-374 have three closed tears near spine, the largest being 1”, result of excess glue; page 151 has several faint (coffee?) droplet stains in the upper right corner; pages 317-320 & 398-399 have large areas of very light tanning from inserted newspaper book reviews. Top edge and fore edge each have 4 or 5 light tan ’bug spots’. Jacket is clean, unfaded, no tears and very slight chipping; verso of jacket had masking tape (since removed without tearing the paper) along upper & lower edges, and at spine and folds--this has caused moderate discoloration noticeable only on rear panel photo of the author (book was not affected by the tape). Condition of book and jacket consistent with being very gently read. No other discernible or objectionable faults on book or jacket such as marks or writing within, stains, tears, chips, or other damage that would diminish its appearance. No remainder mark, not price clipped, not a book club edition, not a former library book. The first printing of Garp was 35,000 copies -- far larger than any of Irving’s previous novels but far short of any of the books that came later: his next novel, The Hotel New Hampshire, had a 100,000 copy first printing and since then all his books have had first printings well into six figures.


Based on the images provided, here is an overview of the book, its historical significance, edition, and potential value.
Book Overview
The book is ”The World According to Garp” by John Irving, a novel published in 1978. It’s about the life of T.S. Garp, the son of a fiercely independent feminist leader, Jenny Fields. The story follows Garp as he navigates his life as a writer, husband, and father, all while dealing with the complex legacy of his mother and the often bizarre and violent events that unfold around him. The novel explores themes of feminism, sexuality, love, loss, and the nature of storytelling. It was a critical and commercial success, which led to a film adaptation in 1982.
Historical Importance
”The World According to Garp” is considered a historically important work of American literature, particularly for its impact on John Irving’s career and its exploration of feminist themes. It was a bestseller that brought Irving widespread recognition and helped establish his distinctive style, which blends tragic and comic elements. The novel’s portrayal of the feminist movement and its subculture, along with its examination of gender roles and violence, was significant for its time and remains relevant.
Is It a First Edition?
Yes, the book appears to be a first edition, first printing. The key to confirming this is the ”number line” found on the copyright page. The image you provided shows the numbers ”10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1” along with the words ”FIRST EDITION”. In book publishing, a number line that includes a ”1” indicates a first printing. If the ”1” were missing, it would be a later printing of the first edition.
Additionally, other indicators for a true first edition of this book include:
* The copyright page stating ”First Edition” (as seen in your image).
* The publisher is E.P. Dutton (as seen on the spine in your image).
* The price on the dust jacket is $10.95 and has the code ”0478” on the back panel.
Value
The value of a first edition of ”The World According to Garp” can vary significantly based on its condition and whether it is signed by the author. Unsigned first editions in good to very good condition with a dust jacket can be found for prices ranging from around $100 to a few hundred dollars. Signed copies, or those in pristine condition, can sell for more.
The specific value of your copy would depend on the overall condition of the book and its dust jacket. A book with a clean, unclipped dust jacket is more valuable than one without a jacket or with significant damage.

E P Dutton

9780525237709

1976-01-01

1

Yes

~$13.72

2026-03-19

2018-06-26 17:56:24