Signed Limited First Edition Book: Hand-Signed & Numbered by E. L. Doctorow (Ragtime 1975)
This entry showcases an authentic, primary-source piece of 20th-century American literary history, National Book Critics Circle Award lore, and fine limited edition publishing ephemera: a original Deluxe Signed Limited First Edition volume of Ragtime, hand-signed and numbered on the limitation page by author E. L. Doctorow.
One of the most acclaimed American novelists of the late 20th century, E. L. Doctorow (1931–2015) achieved widespread literary fame with his masterwork Ragtime in 1975. Blending historical fiction with real-world luminaries such as Harry Houdini, J. P. Morgan, Henry Ford, and Emma Goldman, the novel captured turn-of-the-century America in New Rochelle and New York City. The bestseller won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and was adapted into an Oscar-nominated 1981 film and an acclaimed Broadway musical.
Published in 1975 by Random House, this deluxe limited first edition is specially bound in off-white textured cloth with gold-stamped spine lettering and a gilt front cover title plaque bearing Doctorow's facsimile signature. Housed in its original publisher's dark gray slipcase, the edition was restricted to only 150 specially bound copies.
On the dedicated preliminary limitation page reading "Of the first edition of RAGTIME one hundred and fifty copies have been specially bound. Each copy is signed by the author and numbered", E. L. Doctorow has rendered his signature in bold black ink:
"E L Doctorow"
This copy is hand-numbered 86 out of the strict 150-copy edition.
Preserved in fine condition with pristine cloth boards, crisp spine stamping, clean page edges, and a sturdy original slipcase, this rare limited issue serves as an essential centerpiece for E. L. Doctorow completists, American literary archivists, and modern first edition displays.
Document/Record Specifications
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OFFICIAL 1975 RANDOM HOUSE SIGNED LIMITED EDITION: Authentic first printing limited edition of E. L. Doctorow's masterwork Ragtime.
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DELUXE PUBLISHER BINDING & SLIPCASE: Specially bound in off-white textured cloth with gilt cover plaque and housed in original dark gray cloth slipcase.
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EXCELLENT VINTAGE CONDITION: Preserved in fine condition with clean cloth boards, bright gold spine titling, and solid slipcase structure.
Autograph Specifications & Provenance
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HAND-SIGNED BY E. L. DOCTOROW: Authentically autographed ("E L Doctorow") in black ink on the publisher's preliminary limitation page.
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STRICTLY LIMITED NUMBERED ISSUE: Designated copy number 86 from the ultra-scarce limited edition of only 150 numbered copies.
