The Peter Benchley Collection: Jaws, A Life of Writing, A Legacy of Stories
Lot 119:
Description
Peter Benchley (American, 1940-2006). Hardcover copy of Jaws, 50th Anniversary Edition, published by Random House. The title page is inscribed by Wendy Benchley in blue ink with the text Wendy Benchley With the Spirit of Peter. The octavo volume is bound in publisher’s black paper-covered boards with a matching pictorial dust jacket. The jacket features the original 1974 cover illustration by Roger Kastel, depicting a Great White shark ascending toward a swimmer at the surface. This 2024 edition includes a new foreword copyright 2024 by Benchley IP, LLC and is noted as the 16th printing on the copyright page. The interior features crisp white paper with chapter headers displaying a shark silhouette graphic inside an oval border. 8 1/4" H x 5 1/2" W x 1 1/8" D.
From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940–2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation.
Condition report:
The book and dust jacket are in near-mint condition. The navy blue cloth binding remains tight with sharp corners and a straight spine. The pictorial dust jacket is vibrant and free of tears, chips, or price-clipping. The internal pages are clean, crisp, and white, showing no evidence of foxing, thumbing, or marginalia beyond the inscribed signatures on the title and contents pages.
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