Weaveworld

Hardcover

Third Person

Fiction

721

103

2018-06-26 18:29:33

Weaveworld is an epic adventure of the imagination. It begins with a carpet in which a world of rapture and enchantment is hiding; a world which comes back to life, alerting the dark forces from which it was hiding, and beginning a desperate battle to preserve the last vestiges of magic which humankind still has access to.
Mysteriously drawn by the carpet and into the world it represents are Cal Mooney and Suzanna Parrish, two young people with no knowledge of what they are about to live through and confront. For the final conflict between the forces of good - the Seerkind - and of evil, embodied by the terrible Immacolata and her ravening twin wraith sisters, is about to take place.

Based on the images provided, here is an overview and analysis of the book, ”Weaveworld” by Clive Barker.
Book Overview
* Title: Weaveworld
* Author: Clive Barker
* Publisher: Collins, London
* Publication Date: 1987
”Weaveworld” is a dark fantasy novel about a magical world called the Fugue, which has been woven into a carpet to protect its inhabitants from both humans and hostile supernatural foes. The story follows two humans who become entangled in the fate of the Fugue and its inhabitants. The book was nominated for the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1988 and is considered a significant work in Barker’s career, marking his shift from purely horror-focused narratives to a more expansive, genre-blending style of epic fantasy.
Historical and Literary Importance
”Weaveworld” holds a notable place in the fantasy and horror genres. It is celebrated for its imaginative world-building and for cementing Clive Barker’s reputation as a ”maverick” author who defied easy classification. While not as universally recognized as some of the foundational works of fantasy, it is highly regarded within its specific subgenres and by fans of Barker’s work. It is considered an important bridge between Barker’s early, visceral horror stories (like ”The Books of Blood”) and his later, more sprawling fantasy epics.
First Edition Status
Based on the images, this is indeed a first edition, first printing of the UK hardcover. Several details confirm this:
* Publisher and Date: The title page shows ”Collins” and ”1987,” matching the first UK publication.
* Copyright Page: The copyright page explicitly states, ”First published 1987.” This is a key indicator of a first printing for many UK publishers.
* ISBN: The ISBN visible, 0-00-223254-5, is the correct ISBN for the first UK edition hardcover.
* Dust Jacket: The dust jacket is the original design by artist Tim White, which is a key identifying feature of the first edition. The border of the dust jacket features 32 separate vignettes depicting elements of the story, a unique and intentional design choice by the artist.
Signatures and Significance
The book contains several significant signatures and annotations:
* Clive Barker’s Signature: The title page features the author’s signature, ”Clive Barker,” along with the inscription ”with Very Best Wishes.” This is a significant element that increases the book’s value to collectors.
* Personal Inscription: The inscription ”For Ken” at the top adds a personal touch. While it may slightly decrease the value for a purist who prefers a simple signature, it is often more interesting to collectors as it tells a story about the book’s provenance.
* Original Drawing: The most significant feature is the original drawing of a bearded figure, which is also signed by Clive Barker. Barker is a talented visual artist, and his original art is highly sought after. An original, signed drawing in a first-edition book like this is a very rare and highly desirable feature.
Value Assessment
Determining the exact value of this specific book is challenging without a professional appraisal, but we can provide an estimate based on its features:
* Standard First Edition: A first edition, first printing of the UK hardcover of ”Weaveworld” in very good condition can be valued in the range of $50 to $150, depending on the book’s overall state and market demand.
* Signed First Edition: A signed copy of the first edition increases the value significantly. Prices for signed first editions of ”Weaveworld” can range from $100 to over $300, depending on the condition and the quality of the signature.
* Signed First Edition with Original Art: The presence of an original, signed drawing by Clive Barker dramatically increases the value. This feature makes the book a unique piece of art in addition to being a collectible book. Such items are rare and their value is difficult to pinpoint, but they can easily fetch several hundred to well over a thousand dollars at auction or from a specialized dealer.
In summary, this is a very valuable and highly collectible copy of Weaveworld. Its status as a first edition, coupled with the authentic signature and, most importantly, the original drawing by Clive Barker, makes it a unique and significant piece for any collector of fantasy literature or Clive Barker memorabilia.

HarperCollins

9780002232548

1

2018-06-26 18:29:33