The Alteration

New York: Viking Press, 1977. First edition. Cloth. Fine/Near Fine. 8.5" by 6". None. A first U.S edition of this alternative history novel by Kingsley Amis. Bookplate to the front pastedown for Rolland L Comstock, a successful attorney from Missouri and renowned book collector. Comstock had a two-story library addition to his house to display his 50,000 books, many of which were first editions. In a 1996 profile for News-Leader he stated 'I feel closer to [an author] if I've got the first edition, I want to get as close as possible to the writer so that he becomes a part of my biography. I've chosen him to be part of me'. At the age of 16 Comstock opened a used book store near Commercial Street which he used to further expand his own reading knowledge. Nicholas Basbanes wrote about Comstock in the 'Madness Redux' section of Patience and Fortitude. Following the murder of Comstock in 2007, the Basbanes family helped to sell his vast collection. His collection was not just for show and he once said in interview 'Sometimes, people ask 'How many of these books have you read?' and I tell them that I've read every one and I'm down to the G's going around the second time.' Sir Kingsley Amis was a popular English novelist, poet, critic and teacher. He wrote in many genres including comedy, science fiction and mystery. He was regarded as one of the finest English comic novelists of the second half of the twentieth century. Amis won many awards during his time, including the Booker Prize, which he was shortlisted for three times before finally winning in 1986. 'The Alteration' is set in a parallel universe where the Reformation did not take place. It won the John W Campbell Memorial Award in 1977. In the original quarter cloth binding with paper covered boards. Externally, excellent with minor bumping to the head and tail of spine as well as to the extremities. Dustwrapper is excellent with minor shelfwear to the head and tail of spine. Slight offsetting internally to the wrap. Bookplate to the front pastedown for Comstock. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Fine