870.00€
Rare signed copy of Nikos Kazantzakis’s O Kapetan Michalis (Ελευτερία ή Θάνατος), the celebrated novel also known in English as Captain Michalis or Freedom or Death.
This is the second edition, published in Athens by Difros (Δίφρος) in 1955, and is made exceptionally desirable by an original handwritten dedication and signature by Nikos Kazantzakis, dated 23 March 1956 in Antibes, France.
The dedication reads:
«Antibes, 23-3-56. Στο εκλεκτό φίλο Τ. Βάλβη. Χάρηκα πολύ για τον Πέτρο. Ο Θεός να είναι μαζί σου! – Ν. Καζαντζάκης»
A translation is approximately:
“Antibes, 23-3-56. To my dear/distinguished friend T. Valvis. I was very pleased about Petros. May God be with you! – N. Kazantzakis.”
The personal nature of the inscription, its precise date and its location in Antibes, where Kazantzakis spent the final years of his life, give this copy exceptional documentary and literary interest.
A Remarkable Association Copy
Unlike a merely signed copy, this book contains a substantial personal inscription addressed to a named recipient, referring to Petros and to the publishing house Difros.
The dedication therefore provides an intimate glimpse into Kazantzakis’s personal and literary circle during the final years of his life.
The author’s handwritten signature on the dedication page is the principal autograph feature of the book. The additional signature appearing on the publisher’s control/colophon page is part of the original printed layout and should not be confused with the handwritten dedication.
Bibliographical Details
Author: Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957)
Title: Ο Καπετάν Μιχάλης (Ελευτερία ή Θάνατος)
English title: Captain Michalis / Freedom or Death
Publisher: Δίφρος (Difros)
Place: Athens
Date: 1955
Edition: Second edition
Language: Greek
Pagination: 494 pages
Format: Paperback with original printed dust jacket/wrapper
Special feature: Original handwritten dedication and signature by Kazantzakis
Inscription: Antibes, 23 March 1956
Condition
The text block is in very good to near-fine condition for its age.
The pages are clean and firmly bound, with no missing pages or significant structural defects. The author’s handwritten dedication remains bold, clear and fully legible in blue ink.
The original Difros dust jacket/wrapper is present, which is particularly desirable for a mid-century Greek literary edition. It shows expected age-related wear, including light creasing, minor edge chipping/tears and a visible water stain to the lower-left area of the rear cover.
The characteristic red Difros chariot emblem remains clearly preserved.
Please study the photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition description.
Why This Copy Is Special
A particularly desirable example for collectors of:
Nikos Kazantzakis
Signed and inscribed Greek books
Modern Greek literature
Author autographs and manuscripts
Association copies
First and early editions
Greek literary history
The combination of the scarce 1955 second edition, original dust jacket, and most importantly the dated handwritten inscription by Kazantzakis from Antibes in 1956, makes this a highly appealing collector’s copy of one of the author’s most important novels.
A wonderful piece of modern Greek literary history, with a genuine personal connection to Kazantzakis himself.
