Ulysses

by Joyce, James

Ulysses is a modernist novel by James Joyce. It was first serialized in The Little Review from March 1918 to December 1920 and later published by Shakespeare and Company in 1922. Originally, Joyce conceived of Ulysses as a short story to be included in Dubliners, but decided instead to publish it as a long novel, situated as a sort of sequel to A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, picking up Stephen Dedalus’s life over a year later. Ulysses takes place on a single day, June 16, 1904, in Dublin - now celebrated as Bloomsday annually.

Within the massive text of 265,000 words (not so “short” anymore, eh?), divided into 18 episodes, Joyce radically shifts narrative style with each new episode, completely abandoning the previously accepted notions of plot, setting, and characters. The presentation of a fragmented reality through interior perception in Ulysses, often through stream-of-consciousness, is one of many reasons it is considered a paramount in Modernist literature. 

Ulysses presents a series of parallels with Homer’s epic poem Odyssey (Ulysses is the Latinized name of Odysseus.) Not only can correspondences be drawn between the main characters of each text — Stephen Dedalus to Telemachus, Leopold Bloom to Odysseus, and Molly Bloom to Penelope, but each of the 18 episodes of Ulysses reflects an adventure from the Odyssey.

In 1998, the American publishing firm Modern Library ranked Ulysses first on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.

February 2022 will mark the centennial of the publishing of Ulysses, with auctions, sales, and celebrations by Joyce fans scheduled around the globe.From our Book Collecting Guide: Collecting Ulysses https://www.biblio.com/book-collecting/basics/collecting-one-book/collecting-ulysses-by-james-joyce/

First Edition Identification

Unable to find a publisher in the U.S. or U.K., Ulysses was first published in book form by Shakespeare and Company in Paris in 1922. This first edition appeared in blue and white printed wrappers in an edition of only 1,000 copies which are among the most highly sought after modern first editions, commanding prices in the range of $40,000 - $75,000. A signed first edition could easily fetch over $100,000.

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

There have been at least 18 editions and variations in different impressions of each edition, though some are certainly more notable than others. Harriet Weaver of the Egoist Press published the first “English edition” of Ulysses later in 1922. Following the publication of this edition, the text was banned and the novel forced underground. In 1933, Random House successfully applied to the US courts to overturn the ban and published its first American edition in January 1935. However, a pirated Roth edition was published in New York in 1929. Other notable editions include the first U.K. Edition, published by John Lane / the Bodley Head in London in 1936, the first U.S. Random House edition of 1935 and the Limited Editions Club edition of 1935 (with illustrations by Henry Matisse).

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Ulysses.

Ulysses.

by Joyce, James

Condition
Used
Published
1922
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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A$115,972.50

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Paris: Shakespeare and Company, 1922. First edition of Joyce's masterpiece, one of 750 numbered copies printed on handmade paper from a total edition of 1000 copies, this is number number 276. Thick quarto, original blue and white wrappers. In near fine condition, square and tight with a touch of rubbing to the crown and foot of the spine. Housed… Read more about this item
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Ulysses.

Ulysses.

by Joyce, James

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Used
Published
1922
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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A$463,890.00

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Paris: Shakespeare and Company, 1922. Ulysses was published in Paris by Shakespeare & Company, 1922. It was a struggle for the author to find a publisher, a comic irony considering that Ulysses is "[u]niversally hailed as the most influential work of modern times" (Grolier Joyce 69). Ulysses was an immediate success. The first printing sold out, and "within a… Read more about this item
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Ulysses

by Joyce, James

Condition
Used - Fine
Edition
First Edition; Lettered Issue, limited to 26 copies.
Published
2004
Binding
Red cloth over boards, lettering in silver on front cover and spine, presented in matching slipcase.
ISBN 10
0954771001
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Ballydehob, Cork, IRL
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A$545.51

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New, as issued. Octavo (21.5x14cm). Red cloth over boards, stamped in silver on front cover and spine, with black head- and tail-bands and black satin page-marker, presented in a matching slipcase. Text set in Bembo on light cream-white wove paper. Signed by the Editor. Scarce: 101 copies issued in two limitations: 26 copies lettered A-Z; 75 numbered copies. This is… Read more about this item
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Ulysses

by Joyce, James

Condition
Used - Fine
Edition
First Edition; Numbered Issue, limited to 75 copies.
Published
2004
Binding
Red cloth over boards, lettering in silver on front cover and spine, presented in matching slipcase.
ISBN 10
0954771001
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Ballydehob, Cork, IRL
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A$436.41

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New, as issued. Octavo (21.5x14cm). Red cloth over boards, stamped in silver on front cover and spine, with black head- and tail-bands and black satin page-marker, presented in a matching slipcase. Text set in Bembo on light cream-white wove paper. Signed by the Editor. Scarce: 101 copies issued in two limitations: 26 copies lettered A-Z; 75 numbered copies. This is… Read more about this item
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Ulysses

by James Joyce

Condition
Used - Good Only
Published
1924
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Paperback
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BATH, Somerset, GBR
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A$2,835.18

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Paris: Shakespeare and Company, 1924 . Paperback. Good Only. 8.5" by 7". None. The uncommon September 1924 fifth printing of of James Joyce's modernist masterpiece, in the publisher's original paper wraps. Published two years after the first edition, this is the fifth printing overall of Joyce's magnum opus, and the third from Shakespeare and company.Joyce's novel chronicles the… Read more about this item
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Ulysses

by Joyce, James

Condition
Used - Fair
Jacket Condition
N/A
Edition
First US Edition/9th Printing
Published
1937
Binding
Hardcover
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Albany, California, USA
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A$231.94

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New York: Random House, 1937. First US Edition/9th Printing. Hardcover. Fair/N/A. The ninth printing of the First US Edition of the book that is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. In beige cloth beveled at edges with black and red type to front board and spine. Top page ends tinted brown. Soling to boards especially at front spine… Read more about this item
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Ulysses

by Joyce, James

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Near Fine
Edition
First British trade edition
Published
1937
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Portland, Oregon, USA
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A$2,783.34

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London: John Lane the Bodley Head, 1937. First British trade edition. Near Fine/Near Fine. First British trade edition, first printing. [viii], 766, [2] pp. Publisher's green cloth with gilt lettering. Very Near Fine with subtle bowing to boards, a little offsetting to endpapers and few tiny stains, in an unclipped dust jacket, very lightly shelfworn, else Fine. An… Read more about this item
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A$2,783.34
Ulysses

Ulysses

by Joyce, James

Condition
Used
Edition
First Edition
Published
1922
Binding
Paperback
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1
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New York, New York, USA
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A$69,583.50

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Paris: Shakespeare and Company, 1922 First edition. Limited to 1000 copies. The 1000 copies were divided into three limitations: 100 copies (nos. 1-100) printed on Dutch paper and signed by Joyce; 150 copies (nos. 101-250) printed on Vergé d'Arches paper; and the final 750 copies (nos. 251-1000) printed on linen paper, of which this is number 349. Original publisher's teal… Read more about this item
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ULYSSES
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ULYSSES

by JOYCE, JAMES

Condition
Used
Edition
No. 3 OF 100 SPECIAL COPIES of the "Illegal" First Dublin Editio
Published
1997
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McMinnville, Oregon, USA
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Dublin: Lilliput Press, 1997. No. 3 OF 100 SPECIAL COPIES of the "Illegal" First Dublin Edition, bound in quarter leather and signed by Rose and Banville (from a total edition of 1,000 numbered and 26 lettered copies). 240 x 158 mm. (9 1/2 x 6 1/4"). 4 p.l., v-lxxxiii, [1], 739, [3] pp.Edited by Danis Rose. With a foreword… Read more about this item
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ULYSSES

ULYSSES

by Joyce James

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Used
Published
1936
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Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA
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A$11,056.04

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London: John Lane, The Bodley Head, 1936. First Edition, English Issuance, First Authorized English edition, one of 900 copies only, printed on special Japon vellum papers, probably the most beautiful First Edition of ULYSSES ever printed. Tall, thick, royal 8vo, publisher’s original full green polished linen buckram with the gilt lettering and pictorial decoration of… Read more about this item
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Ulysses

by Joyce, James

Condition
Used - Good
Edition
4th Edition
Published
1924
Binding
Soft cover
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Beverly Hills, California, USA
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A$1,855.56

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Shakespeare and Company, 1924. 4th Edition. Soft cover. Good. 4th Printing of James Joyce's Ulysses Published in Paris in 1924 by Shakespeare and Company. This is the 4th printing, and only the second printing by Shakespeare and Company (the 1st printing was by Shakespeare and Co., but the 2nd and 3rd printings were done in the UK by… Read more about this item
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Ulysses

by James Joyce

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
First edition
Published
1932
Binding
Cloth
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BATH, Somerset, GBR
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A$1,466.48

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Hamburg: The Odyssey Press, 1932. First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 7" by 4.5". None. A scarce, first one volume cloth edition of James Joyce's leading modernist novel, 'Ulysses'. A first thus. The first one volume edition in cloth issued by the Odyssey press of Hamburg. This edition is composed in Baskerville type, and has been printed on thin… Read more about this item
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ULYSSES
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ULYSSES

by Joyce, James

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Used
Edition
First Edition; Eleventh Printing
Published
1930
Binding
Hardcover
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CROTON-ON-HUDSON, New York, USA
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A$1,507.64

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Paris: Shakespeare and Company, 1930. First Edition; Eleventh Printing. Hardcover. Book condition is Very Good, handsomely rebound in half leather with decorated boards and end papers. Minor foxing, toning to interior. Crease to bottom corner of a few pages. Text is clean and unmarked. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall.
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A$1,507.64
ULYSSES
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ULYSSES

by Joyce, James

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Not Issued
Edition
First Thus
Published
1997
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
1874675996
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Fernandina Beach, Florida, USA
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Dublin: The Lilliput Press, 1997. Limited to 1000 numbered copies. Copy #297. Edited with a Preface by Danis Rose. Introduction by John Banville. Cloth-covered boards with gilt-stamped lettering on spine in cloth-covered slipcase. Satin pagemarker. Issued without dustjacket. Unread copy in Fine condition in a Fine slipcase. The first edition of this title produced in Ireland.. First Thus. Hardcovers. Fine/Not… Read more about this item
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Ulysses

by Joyce, James

Condition
Used - Very Good+
Edition
9th Printing
Published
1927
Binding
Hardcover
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Portland, Maine, USA
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A$1,932.88

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Paris: Shakespeare and Company, 1927. 9th Printing. Hardcover. Very Good+. 9th Printing. Hardcover. In a signed binding by noted New York bookman and binder Whitman Bennett with original wrappers bound in. The 9th printing from the wholly new and corrected setting of type prepared for the eight printing. Light shelf/edge wear, ffep split at joint (repairable), light rubbing… Read more about this item
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A$1,932.88
Ulysses

Ulysses

by Joyce, James

Condition
Used - Poor
Jacket Condition
N/A
Edition
First US Edition/6th Printing
Published
1937
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Albany, California, USA
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A$231.94

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New York: Random House, 1937. First US Edition/6th Printing. Hardcover. Poor/N/A. The sixth printing of the First US Edition of the book that is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. In beige cloth beveled at edges with black and red type to front board and spine. Top page ends tinted brown. Rubbing through cloth/fraying at corners and spine… Read more about this item
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A$231.94
ULYSSES

ULYSSES

by Joyce James

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Used
Published
[1922], 2001
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Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA
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A$3,316.81

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[Paris], Tokyo: [Shakespeare and Company ], Yushodo/Inkpen Press, [1922], 2001. A very finely produced facsimile of the first edition of Ulysses, LIMITED to 120 copies. The facsimile is printed on fine paper by the Inkpen Press. Large thick 8vo [195 x 235 mm], beautifully hand-bound in full crushed blue morocco, the spine handsomely … Read more about this item
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A$3,316.81
Ulysses

Ulysses

by Joyce, James

Condition
Used - Very Good- with no dust jacket
Edition
1st Unlimited edition. 4th Printing
Published
1949
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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A$92.78

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NY. NY: Bodley Head. Very Good- with no dust jacket. 1949. 1st Unlimited edition. 4th Printing. Hardcover. Green cloth-covered boards are sunned at margins and spine. Spine has a half-inch tear at top edge of both covers and has faint creasing. Binding is tight, hinges are not cracked or loose. Faint stain to upper corner of first… Read more about this item
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A$92.78
Ulysses (Limited Edition)
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Ulysses (Limited Edition)

by James Joyce

Condition
New
Jacket Condition
No Jacket
Edition
1st Edition 1st Printing
Published
2022
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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St Albans, Hertfordshire, GBR
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A$2,810.70

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London: Folio Society, 2022. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. New/No Jacket. John Vernon Lord. Brand new copy, will be shipped in Folio's original packaging. Fully bound in leather, Folio's centenary edition of the modernist masterpiece is illustrated and signed by John Vernon Lord.
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ULYSSES
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ULYSSES

by JOYCE, JAMES. (WELLS, H. G., His Copy). (BINDINGS - SALLY LOU SMITH)

Condition
Used
Edition
Ninth Printing of the First Edition
Published
May 1927
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1
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McMinnville, Oregon, USA
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A$136,692.92

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Paris: Shakespeare and Company, May 1927. Ninth Printing of the First Edition. 205 x 160 mm. (8 1/8 x 6 1/4"). 4 p.l. (first blank), 735 pp. DRAMATIC DARK BLUE-GRAY CRUSHED MOROCCO, BLIND-TOOLED AND INLAID TO AN ABSTRACT DESIGN, BY SALLY LOU SMITH (stamp-signed with her initials in gilt on rear doublure), with overall wraparound design of inlaid… Read more about this item
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A$136,692.92