HMS Ulysses (Signed copy)
Signed by Alistair MacLean, a first printing of his first novel
Author
Publisher
Printing Details
First edition, first printing. Hardback in dustwrapper. 20.5 × 14cm, 320pp.
Signed directly to the title page by Alistair MacLean.
Constant patrols have pushed the crew of the HMS Ulysses beyond the limits of endurance. And now they must be put to sea again, to escort a vital supply convoy heading for Murmansk. As they head deep into the frozen waters they are faced not only with the fierce arctic weather, but a swarm of airborne attacks, German ships, then the feared U-boats, all hellbent on destroying the convoy. With each day threatening another sudden attack, and increasing hardships aboard the frozen ship, Ulysses suffers greater damage trying to protect the other vessels. And soon the journey becomes a tense and deadly game of cat and mouse between the crippled cruiser and her silent pursuers.
HMS Ulysses was Alistair MacLean's first novel, and was based on his own experiences in the Royal Navy aboard HMS Royalist in the Second World War. He had submitted a short story (Dileas) in 1954 to a competition and the publishers Collins asked if he would consider writing a novel of his wartime experiences. He resisted at first but eventually wrote the novel in three months and was awarded a $50,000 advance (which made the headlines at the time). The book was immediately very popular, selling 250,000 copies in the first six months.
Condition
A very good copy. The dustwrapper is in very decent condition, with some very minor rubbing to the edges and foxing to the back panel. It has not been price-clipped (12s 6d). The book itself is also in very solid condition, with some spotting and tanning to the pages' top edge and a little finger-marking to the fore-edge. The main body of text is very clean and with secure binding. Alistair MacLean's signature is the only inscription. Light tanning to the map endpapers.
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Price
£400.00
