Muriel Spark / DOCTORS OF PHILOSOPHY A Play Signed 1st Edition 1963

Absurd, surreal, postmodern, self-referential, philosophical, and unlike anything else she wrote. DOCTORS OF PHILOSOPHY: A Play. First printing of Spark's only play, inscribed with love to a "Howard, " likely poet Howard Sergeant, with whom Spark was briefly involved in earlier years.

Near fine in very good jacket. You just mind your own business and leave your mother's neurosis alone. She's had it as long as I've known her, and if it's good enough for me it's good enough for you. Bewilderingly witty, like a Tom Stoppard with teeth as well as brains. DOCTORS OF PHILOSOPHY is, superficially and in part, about what the previous century was pleased to call the "problem" of women "having it all, " where "it all" is defined as babies, husbands, and monographs on Assyrian paleography; but it is not a superficial piece, least of all in its treatment of women's varied personal and professional ambitions and obligations as compelling instances of the universally human.

London: Macmillian & Co Ltd, 1963. 8.5'' x 5.5''. Original royal blue cloth with gilt-lettered spine.

In original unclipped (18s) dust jacket. Inscribed by Spark to front free endpaper: "Howard / Love from Muriel". Minor edgewear to boards; light soil to upper edge of page block. Several small tears and faint chipping to upper edge and spine ends of jacket; moderate toning to jacket verso. Type Punch Matrix is a rare book firm founded by Rebecca Romney and Brian Cassidy. Between them, they bring over 30 years of experience in the antiquarian book trade. TPM sells a mixture of beloved classics and innovative texts from throughout print history, for collectors and institutions alike. Handpress and modern books, archives and manuscripts, letterpress and ephemera: TPM aims to make collecting both more accessible and more diverse, and believes in the mindful acquisition, preservation, and celebration of the materials of our literary cultures. Proud member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of American (ABAA), the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), and the International Online Booksellers Association (IOBA). We guarantee the accuracy and authenticity of all our listings.

"First edition" always means first printing unless otherwise indicated. We pride ourselves on our packaging.

All books are carefully packed to help ensure safe arrival in condition sent. Please contact is BEFORE PURCHASING for an exact quote. This listing was created by Bibliopolis.

---