Skip to content

Nineteen Eight-Four

Nineteen Eight-Four Hardcover - 1949

by George Orwell


About this book

Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) by George Orwell has become the definitive dystopian novel of the twentieth century.

Originally published on June 8, 1949 by Secker and Warburg in the United Kingdom, the book follows the main character, Winston Smith, through his disillusionment with totalitarianism and a doomed struggle of resistance. George Orwell is a pen-name, Orwell's real name was Eric Blair.
-

Summary

Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal.

First Edition Identification

The overall quality of the printing of this first edition is high. Some commonly found defects include missing plates, damage to the frontispiece or endpapers, and age-tanned pages. Blair died six months after publication of this, his last novel. Very rare signed copies have significant value, with some volumes priced near $10,000 USD. Because of this, numerous attempts have been made at forging the author's signature, and care should be taken to authenticate a signed copy. Unsigned first-edition first-printing British editions in mint condition can sometimes be priced in the $2,000 to $3,000 range (USD). 

The first US edition was printed by Harcourt, Brace and Company in 1949, only five days after the U.K. Edition. The UK edition first printing ran 26,575 copies, the US edition approximately 20,000. The book was an instant best seller in both Great Britain and the United States. 

Details

  • Title Nineteen Eight-Four
  • Author George Orwell
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition Reprint
  • Publisher Saunders, Great Britain
  • Date 1949
  • ISBN 9780436350078
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR

NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR

by Orwell, George (pen name used by Eric Blair)

  • Used
  • very good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
Later Printing
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780436350078
ISBN 10
0436350076
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$74.95
$9.95 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
London: Secker and Warburg, 1974. Book. Very Good. Hardcover. Later Printing. 8vo. 318 pp. Green boards decorated in gilt on the spine; headband. Edge and corner wear on the dustjacket; price clipped; no interior markings..
Item Price
$74.95
$9.95 shipping to USA