Plath, Sylvia writing as Victoria Lucas.

The Bell Jar (A family copy)

London: Heinemann, 1963. Second printing. A unique and absolutely wonderful association copy of Plath's most famous work and only finished novel. This copy was given by Plath's husband, Ted Hughes to their son, Nicholas. Upon his death, the book passed to Plath's daughter, Frieda, an artist, who "mended" the wear to the cover and early pages in a series of playful sketches. With two signed letters of provenance from Frieda (in her hand), as well as her initials to the sketches and her signature on the title page. The front board has a large crease running lengthwise, which runs onto the first couple leaves. It is this damage that Frieda has "mended" with her art, first drawing a zipper up the front paste-down, then stitching up the adjacent leaf. A small mouse finshes the stitching on the verso of the front fly-leaf and a crocodile sits on the half-title and on the verso over a small tear in the leaf. In a Very Good example of the dust wrapper with minor toning and wear at the extremities. Frieda has become a well-known artist in her own right and this book shows her loving and playful treatment of her mother's book. A copy that was owned variously by Plath's husband and both of her children. Good in Very Good dust jacket. (Item #1642)