The Woman in White — Folio Society 2005

📖 The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (2005, Folio Society) — the pioneering sensation novel that launched the modern detective and psychological thriller genres, here in a slipcased Folio Society edition with illustrations by Alexy Pendle. This sealed copy preserves the green cloth binding and gold gilt spine in untouched condition.

QUICK FACTS

• Author: Wilkie Collins (1824–1889), English novelist and pioneer of detective fiction
• Illustrator: Alexy Pendle, contemporary British illustrator
• Publisher: The Folio Society, London
• Year: 2005 (third printing)
• Format: Hardcover in slipcase, green cloth binding with gold gilt spine lettering
• Pages: ~500 | ISBN: Check copyright page
• Condition: Fine / Fine — sealed in original publisher’s shrinkwrap, unopened and unread. Full report below.

THE STORY

First serialized in Charles Dickens’s All the Year Round in 1859–1860, The Woman in White is considered the first sensation novel and a landmark in English literature. Collins weaves a tale of identity theft, madness, and conspiracy through the interlocking narratives of Walter Hartright, Laura Fairlie, and Marian Halcombe. The novel’s plot — centering on a wealthy woman driven to the brink by a criminal scheme to steal her inheritance — influenced generations of mystery and thriller writers from Arthur Conan Doyle to Agatha Christie.

THIS EDITION

The Folio Society published this edition in 2005, featuring illustrations by Alexy Pendle. Folio Society editions are known for their high production values — quality cloth bindings, gilt stamping, and custom slipcases. This copy remains sealed in its original publisher’s shrinkwrap, with the book unopened and unread.

COVER ART / ILLUSTRATIONS / DESIGN

The binding features a deep green cloth cover with bright gold gilt lettering and decorative motifs on the spine. The title “THE WOMAN IN WHITE” appears in a gold panel at the top, with a stylized floral or vine pattern below, followed by “WILKIE COLLINS” in matching gold gilt. The dark slipcase provides additional protection and is structurally sound with clean edges. Alexy Pendle’s interior illustrations complement Collins’s gothic atmosphere.

WHY IT MATTERS

• Folio Society editions are collectible for their production quality — cloth bindings, gilt stamping, and custom slipcases that stand apart from standard trade editions
• The Woman in White is widely regarded as the first sensation novel and one of the earliest detective stories, directly influencing the development of the mystery genre
• Sealed Folio Society copies in original shrinkwrap are increasingly uncommon — most have been opened and read over the past two decades

FREQUENTLY ASKED

What edition is this? Folio Society, 2005 — a high-quality hardcover edition with illustrations by Alexy Pendle, bound in green cloth with gilt stamping and housed in a custom slipcase.

What condition is it in? Fine / Fine — sealed in original publisher’s shrinkwrap, unopened and unread. Full report below.

Is the slipcase included? Yes. The dark slipcase is visible beneath the shrinkwrap and appears structurally sound with clean edges.

FOR COLLECTORS

This sealed copy represents the best possible condition for a Folio Society edition — untouched since it left the publisher in 2005. The combination of Alexy Pendle’s illustrations, the classic green-and-gold Folio Society binding, and the original shrinkwrap makes this a strong specimen for collectors of Collins or Folio Society productions.

Condition Report

Overall Grade: Fine / Fine (As-New / Sealed)

Cover & Spine: Pristine. The green spine features bright, untarnished gold gilt lettering and decoration, completely protected from shelf wear by the tight, original shrinkwrap.

Dust Jacket: None as issued. The dark slipcase is structurally sound, with clean, sharp edges and corners visible beneath the protective wrap.

Text Block & Pages: Unopened and unread. The pages remain fully sealed, ensuring protection from dust, moisture, and handling.

Binding: Tight, square, and completely unused.

See accompanying images for full condition details. Will ship promptly, carefully packaged.

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