Summertime

Author : Coetzee, J.M

Title : Summertime

Publisher : Harvill Secker 2009

Description : UK 1/2

A design binding by Stephen Conway on behalf of the Booker Foundation 2009 for J.M. Coetzee.

Documented in The New Bookbinder Vol 30

Set against the background of Apartheid in South Africa, the design for this binding stems from the authors reference to the likening of South Africa to an ‘end game’. Using the chessboard as the basis for the design, cracks appear in the barren wastelands, showing the perceived gradual breakup of the country.

This binding was presented to Coetzee at the Booker awards ceremony, held at the Guildhall, London 2009 and recently (2018) came back onto the open market via the Australian book dealer Michael Treloar, Adelaide, Australia. (full provenance).

It is extremely rare for these prize bindings to come onto the open market, quite possibly this being the first time. 

An opportunity to acquire a truly unique binding of Coetzee's shortlisted Booker novel. Coetzee was twice winner of the Booker Prize, first in 1983 with Life and Times of Micheal K and in 1999 with Disgrace.

Binding : The book is bound with a leather spine and full vellum boards, the design being under the translucent vellum. The design continues from the boards onto the book edges. There are leather joints and endbands.

Contained in a quarter cloth drop back box lettered on the spine in black.

Condition : Fine Condition

Size : 225 mm x 145 mm

The book is signed by the author to the title page.

Ref : CON/746