Richard Ford: The Sportswriter. London, Collins Harvill, 1986. 1st edition. 1st printing. 9. ½ x 6. ¼ . Signed by Ford on title page, presentation: “For Michael Johnson, with good wishes, Richard Ford.”. Mr Johnson is the book collector and publisher owner of Scorpion Press. No other marks or inscriptions. Black cloth over boards & gilt. Price £10.95 to jacket flap.

The Sportswriter is Ford’s breakthrough book, the writing is light, open and precise, and as they say, the author has found his voice. The plot concerns seven days in the life of Frank Bascombe, sports journalist. Bascombe, is divorced, bereaved, and finding it tough. A much-loved and strangely uplifting book.

The British is the first hardback edition, the first of the Ford books published in the United Kingdom (by Collins Harvill, the esteemed literary publisher run separately to the main Collins publishing business). The printing was quite small as it was intended for reviewers and libraries. The main sales would be from the paperback imprint Flamingo. The value of the book has been rock solid since the success of the second Bascombe book, Independence Day (1995).

Condition: Sharp unread copy, only detraction being the slight fading of the red title to spine. VF in F jacket.