Signed Limited First Edition Book: Hand-Signed & Numbered by John Mortimer (Rumpole of the Bailey 1991)
This entry showcases an authentic, primary-source piece of 20th-century British literary history, legal drama lore, and fine limited edition publishing ephemera: an official Deluxe Signed Limited Collector's Edition volume of Rumpole of the Bailey, hand-signed and numbered on the preliminary limitation page by author John Mortimer.
A celebrated English barrister, dramatist, and author, Sir John Mortimer (1923–2009) created one of television and literature's most enduring legal protagonists in Horace Rumpole, the eccentric, wine-loving Old Bailey defense barrister. First appearing on British television before being adapted into acclaimed short story collections, Rumpole of the Bailey stands as a classic masterpiece of courtroom wit, satire, and human keenness.
Published in April 1991 by The Armchair Detective Library (New York), this deluxe limited edition is bound in full dark maroon cloth with ornate gold-stamped courtroom sword borders, front cover title lettering, a portrait of Mortimer, and a gilt spine. Housed in its matching custom dark maroon cloth slipcase, the edition was strictly limited to 100 numbered copies and 26 lettered presentation copies.
On the dedicated preliminary limitation page reading "Of this edition, 100 copies have been numbered and signed by the author", John Mortimer has rendered his signature in ink:
"John Mortimer"
This copy is hand-numbered 91 out of the strict 100-copy numbered issue.
Preserved in fine, crisp condition with sound cloth boards, clean gilt stamping, unblemished page edges, and its original slipcase, this rare limited volume serves as an essential centerpiece for John Mortimer completists, legal history archivists, and British literature displays.
Document/Record Specifications
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OFFICIAL 1991 ARMCHAIR DETECTIVE SIGNED LIMITED EDITION: Authentic first printing limited edition of John Mortimer's Rumpole of the Bailey.
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DELUXE PUBLISHER BINDING & SLIPCASE: Bound in dark maroon cloth with gold-stamped borders and housed in a matching cloth slipcase.
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EXCELLENT VINTAGE CONDITION: Preserved in fine condition with sharp boards, tight spine, clean pages, and sturdy slipcase.
Autograph Specifications & Provenance
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HAND-SIGNED BY JOHN MORTIMER: Authentically autographed ("John Mortimer") in ink on the publisher's limitation page.
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STRICTLY LIMITED NUMBERED ISSUE: Designated copy number 91 from the scarce limited edition of only 100 numbered copies.
