The Handmaid's Tale
By Margaret Atwood
 
First Canadian edition, first impression: Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1985. Signed by the author to the half-title page.
 
Octavo. Original half burgundy cloth over cream boards, spine lettered in white with burgundy endpapers and paste-downs. With the original striking pictorial dust jacket, designed by Tad Aronowicz and featuring an illustration by Gail Geltner, unclipped with the price "22.95" to the front flap.
 
A near fine copy, the binding firm and square with a little of the often-encountered rubbing to spine ends, though somewhat less than usual; previous owner's blindstamp to the bottom corner of the title page; contents otherwise crisp and clean throughout and free from names and inscriptions.
 
The dust jacket near fine, original and unclipped, with a very small tear to the bottom edge of the lower panel and a hint of isolated and soft associated creasing; overall an unusually bright, sharp example.
 
The true first edition of Margaret Atwood’s seminal work of dystopian fiction, preceding both the UK and US editions.
 
Set in the near-future Republic of Gilead, the novel explores themes of subjugation, bodily autonomy, and the power of narrative. It won the 1985 Governor General's Award and the first Arthur C. Clarke Award in 1987, and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Its cultural impact remains profound, bolstered by its 1990 film adaptation and the critically acclaimed, multi-season television series, which debuted in 2017.
 
Signed copies of the Canadian first edition in such desirable condition are increasingly rare.