V.
“Life's single lesson: that there is more accident to it than a man can ever admit to in a lifetime and stay sane": First Edition of Thomas Pynchon's First Book V.; Finely Bound by the Harcourt Bindery
V.
PYNCHON, Thomas.
$1,850.00
Item Number: 144384
Philadelphia and New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1963.
First edition of Pynchon’s first book. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and ruling to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. An exceptional presentation.
After earning his Bachelor’s Degree in English from Cornell University, Pynchon was employed as a technical writer for The Boeing Company in Seattle, Washington where he compiled safety articles and newsletters. His experiences at Boeing inspired his depiction of the Yoyodyne Corporation, the fictional defense contractor featured both in V. and The Crying of Lot 49. His debut novel, V. chronicles the exploits of discharged Navy sailor Benny Profane and his reconnection in New York with a group of pseudo-bohemians. Pynchon was critical of the 50s and 60s countercultural movements stating that they "placed too much emphasis on youth, including the eternal variety." V. won The Faulkner Foundation Award for Best First Novel of the Year upon publication in 1963. "V may well stand as one of the very best works of the century" (Atlantic Review).
