First Printing (1-10) First British Edition--Hardcover Trade Edition. American Edition does not release until June 2nd. A handsome and signed very fine copy in an unclipped and mylar protected very fine dustjacket. Brand new British first impression of Rushdie's new novel that follows his themes of East vs. West--this time set in the time near the Italian Renaissance and features, as one of the characters, Niccolo Machiavelli. The story of a woman attempting to control her destiny in a man's world. This novel features more sensuality than Rushdie's previous offerings--and it may be his best novel yet. Black cloth with gilt lettering to spine. Front pastedowns and endpapers are decorated with a depiction of India contemporary with the time set of the novel-- (taken from "The Building of Fatehpur Sikri Palace")--exhibited in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The back pastedown and endpaper is decorated with detail from the "Carta della Catena"--a panorama of early Florence with the Arno river and famous merchant bridge the "Ponte Vecchio". A very beautiful and collectable Salman Rushdie first printing---signed by the author.