James Clavell, King Rat | First UK Edition, First Impression

James Clavell's King Rat, published in London by Michael Joseph in 1963. First UK edition, first impression, in the original Kenneth Farnhill designed dust jacket with the original 21s net price intact.

Clavell's first novel, King Rat is set in the Japanese prisoner of war camp at Changi during World War II. The subject was deeply personal for Clavell, who had himself been a prisoner of war in the Far East. The novel launched the literary career that would later produce Tai-Pan, Shōgun, Noble House, and the other novels of his Asian Saga.

This British edition followed the American first edition published by Little, Brown in 1962. The copyright page states "First published by Michael Joseph Ltd...1963" with no subsequent impression indicated, identifying this copy as the first UK edition, first impression.

The original dust jacket is particularly attractive, with its striking red, black, and dark green design by Kenneth Farnhill, whose credit appears on the front flap. The original publisher's price of 21s net remains present and unclipped.

Condition: Very Good+ book in a Very Good dust jacket. Binding is firm and in very good condition. Interior is clean overall with only light age toning and minimal foxing, including minor scattered spotting to some preliminary pages and page edges. Original dust jacket remains complete and unclipped, with strong color and an especially attractive front panel. Jacket shows age appropriate edge wear, small chips and short tears at the extremities, rubbing, and toning and soiling to the predominantly white rear panel.

An attractive and increasingly collectible early edition of Clavell's first novel, retaining the original illustrated and price intact dust jacket.