A GAME OF THRONES by Martin, George R.R - 1996

New York: Bantam Books, 1996. First edition. Fine in fine jacket. First printing of the epochal fantasy novel, book one of the SONG OF ICE AND FIRE series. Martin subverts the Tolkien tradition of Western-inspired fantasy with a lavishly detailed world that lulls the reader into a variety of emotional bear traps. The noble morality of Middle Earth is here replaced with a more nuanced, and certainly more brutal, depiction of humanity in crisis. The basis for the HBO series of the same name; we won't dare say more to spoil it. 9'' x 5.75''. Original quarter black textured paper, black paper boards, blind-stamped author signature on front board, silver-lettered spine. In original unclipped ($21.95 US / $29.95 CA) metallic dust jacket with blue embossed lettering and Iron Throne illustration by Tom Hallman. Cartographic endpapers. Ornamental title page and ornamental headpieces throughout. Appendix of Houses at rear. [6], 694, [2] pages. Touch of bumping to front corners.