Drinking Sapphire Wine
New York: DAW Books, Inc., 1977. Early Printing. 12mo, publisher’s stiff illustrated paper wraps, all edges stained yellow.
Inscribed paperback original of British scifi, fantasy, and horror writer Tanith Lee’s 1977 novel, the sequel to Don't Bite the Sun (1976) and second installment in her "Four-BEE" series. One of the genre’s most prolific and imaginative authors, Lee penned more than ninety novels and three-hundred short stories, becoming the first woman to win the British Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1980. Set in a futuristic utopia governed by benevolent robots, where citizens enjoy virtual immortality and the freedom to change bodies and sexes at will, Drinking Sapphire Wine follows a gender-fluid protagonist whose growing dissatisfaction with a life of limitless pleasure leads to rebellion and exile. The cover illustration is by celebrated fantasy artist Don Maitz, whose work adorned books by Isaac Asimov, Gene Wolfe, and Michael Moorcock. Issued as number UE1565 in the publisher’s catalog. Inscribed by Lee to the title page: "To Alina - with love - / Tanith 1981." Third printing. Fine. Item #13674
$100.00