Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Updike, John. The Poorhouse Fair (Inscribed). Alfred Knopf, New York, 1959.
Price: US$150.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: Stated third printing of Updike's first novel. 185 pp. Briefly INSCRIBED by the author on the front endpaper. A handsome near fine copy in clipped, but otherwise quite handsome dustwrapper. Mild spotting at lower spine area. Terrific photograph of the author in sneakers on the rear dustwrapper cover. Very nice copy.
Seller: Derringer Books, Member ABAA, Avon, CT, U.S.A.
UPDIKE, John. The Poorhouse Fair [Inscribed]. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1959.
Price: US$220.00 + shipping
Description: First Printing. Octavo (20.75cm); blue-gray paper-covered boards and burnt orange cloth, with titles stamped in silver on spine and front cover; orange topstain; dustjacket; [vi],185,[1]pp. Inscribed by the author on the front endpaper: "For Jack Grogins / Best wishes / John Updike." Light wear to extremities, topstain dust-soiled and a little dulled, with a hint of dustiness to text edges; Near Fine. In the first state dustjacket, unclipped (priced $3.50), with modest wear to extremities, a few scuffs to spine panel, a few shallow losses, four tape-mended tears on verso, with scattered foxing to same; Very Good. Updike's first novel.
Seller: Lorne Bair Rare Books, ABAA, Winchester, VA, U.S.A.
Updike, John.. The Poorhouse Fair.. New York Knopf, 1959.
Price: US$220.79 + shipping
Description: 185 pp. Original half cloth with dust jacket. First Edition of the author`s first novel. With enclosed signed Exlibris of John Updike. - Uncliped Dust jacket with small damages at margins and few foxing. Gewicht (Gramm): 304
Seller: Müller & Gräff e.K., Stuttgart, Germany
Updike, John. The Poorhouse Fair. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1959.
Price: US$489.00 + shipping
Description: SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR on a decorative bookplate. A VERY CLEAN, NICE COPY WITH A BRIGHT, ATTRACTIVE DUSTJACKET IN NEW, GLOSSY BRODART. NO PREVIOUS OWNER MARKINGS. First issue of author's first novel and second book. First state dustjacket. 185 pages. A handsome, collectible copy!
Seller: Books Plus, LLC, Lexington, SC, U.S.A.
UPDIKE, John. The Poorhouse Fair [Signed Bookplate Laid in]. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1959.
Price: US$495.00 + shipping
Description: Octavo (20.75cm.); original cloth-backed boards in decorative price-clipped dust jacket designed by Harry Ford; [6],185pp. Very minor wear to jacket extremities, short closed tear to top edge of upper panel with discrete tape repair to verso, some unobtrusive paper flaws to endpapers from previously removed bookplates (?); boards slightly toned and lightly soiled, else a still Very Good and sound copy. Bookplate signed by the author laid in. Updike's first novel.
Seller: Lorne Bair Rare Books, ABAA, Winchester, VA, U.S.A.
John Updike. The Poorhouse Fair. Alfred A Knopf, E-72, 1959.
Price: US$500.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Hardcover. 8vo. Alfred A. Knopf. 1959. 185 pgs. First Edition/First Printing. Signed and inscribed by John Updike on the FFEP. Laid in with the complimentary slip from John Updike present. DJ has light shelf-wear present to the DJ. No ownership marks present. Text is clean and free of marks, binding tight and solid, boards have light shelfwear present. The Poorhouse Fair, John Updikes first novel, was written in 1957 and published in January of 1959. The Poorhouse Fair centers on a New Jersey poor farm's annual fundraiser and the resulting insurrection of the farm's inmates against the institution's establishment. Hailed at the time of its publication as "a rare and beautiful achievement" and "a work of intellectual imagination and great charity. E-72; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 185 pages; Signed by Author
Seller: Last Exit Books, Charlottesville, VA, U.S.A.
Updike, John. The Same Door. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY, 1959.
Price: US$795.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: 242 pages. First edition, first issue dust jacket with the price of $3.75 and reviews for The Poorhouse Fair on back panel. His third book & first book of short stories. 16 short stories. Signed by Updike on the first sheet. Fine book in a near fine dust jacket with a small amount of creasing to the top of the back cover. A beautiful copy!
Seller: Fireproof Books, MINNETONKA, MN, U.S.A.
Updike, John. THE POORHOUSE FAIR. Signed. Alfred Knopf, New York, 1959.
Price: US$1050.00 + shipping
Description: 1st Edition. Hardcover. Signed by Author. 1st Edition. Superb copy of the First Edition of the author's first novel neatly Inscribed in blue ink by John Updike on the front free endpaper: "For Sharon / John Updike". A fine example in 1/4 tan cloth over green paper covered boards, silver and gilt titles to the spine in a fine fresh first issue dustwrapper. 8vo. 185 pp. The book was signed at a 1990 McGill University Reading. A brilliant first novel by this pre-eminent American author.
Seller: TBCL The Book Collector's Library, Montreal, QC, Canada