Payne, Robert (1911–1983)

The Splendor of Israel [Inscribed First Edition - Ben Raeburn Association]

New York: Harper & Row, 1963. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover with Dust Jacket.

A first edition of Robert Payne's lyrical guide to the history and landscape of the young state of Israel, inscribed by the author. This is a significant association copy, inscribed on the title page to Ben Raeburn, the influential publisher and head of Horizon Press.

Key Features:
+++ Visuals: Illustrated with 28 pages of photographic reproductions and detailed map endpapers drawn by Lilli Mautner.

+++ Content: Written with Payne's characteristic flair for history and mythology, the book covers the sweep of Israeli geography from the Negev to Jerusalem, capturing the nation just 15 years after its founding.

+++ Association: Inscribed in ink on the title page: 'For Ben / affectionately from / Robert'. (Ben Raeburn).

+++ Imprint & Physical Specs: New York, Evanston, and London: Harper & Row, 1963.Blue cloth hardcover in original dust jacket.9.5 inches tall / [5], 222 pages (includes Index) First Edition, First 

Condition: Very Good in Good Dust Jacket. The binding is tight and square. Text is clean with light, even age-toning. The cloth boards show sunning/fading at the spine and edges. The dust jacket is price-clipped ($6.50 intact) but shows visible wear, including chipping at the edges and darkening to the spine panel.

Robert Payne was a prolific biographer and historian, best known for his The Splendor of Greece. This work captures Israel in a specific historical moment (1963)—prior to the Six-Day War of 1967, offering a view of the country's borders and atmosphere during its developmental teenage years.

The provenance of this copy elevates it above a standard travelogue. Ben Raeburn (Horizon Press) was a central figure in mid-century publishing, most famous for being Frank Lloyd Wright's publisher and friend. An affectionate inscription between Payne and Raeburn represents a connection between two heavyweights of the New York literary world.

Keywords: Robert Payne, Israel History, Ben Raeburn, Association Copy, Signed Book, Holy Land, Horizon Press, Travelogue, Jewish History, 1960s Israel.

Item #21496

Price: $45.00