Lord of the Flies - E M Forster's Copy with original hand-written letter from Golding

London: Faber, 1954. A first edition, first printing published by Faber in 1954. A fine book with just a little toning to the pages. White titles on red cloth very clear and bright. No inscriptions. In a very good clipped wrapper with some light internal reinforcement to the spine. Spine browned, with a little wear to the extremities. Accompanied by the rare wrap-around band. In a custom-made clamshell box with titles. E. M Forster's own copy, with his book label. Much of Forster's library was sold when the author moved from his family home at West Hackhurst in Abinger Hammer, Surrey in 1946. After taking residence in Kings College Cambridge (with a much reduced library), he continued to give books away as he acquired new ones. Most of his final was sold in 1971 by Heffer and Sons. There were many first edition copies in this, but not this particular copy. Forster was pivotal to the success of 'Lord of the Flies', talking Faber into taking on the unknown writer. It was slow to sell, but with Forster's naming it 'outstanding novel of the year', the book has since gone on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide. Faber produced the E. M. Forster's choice band after the first copies had sold out (before being reprinted). Such bands are scarce now and not mentioned in the bibliography. Accompanying the book is an original hand-written letter from Golding to a Mr Heffner in response to a letter from Heffner. Dated 2nd January 1968, the letter (rather delightfully) reads, 'Dear Mr Heffner, Lord Of The Flies went to a number of publishers before Faber took it. I can't remember how man. I've had no similar trouble since, Yours Sincerely, William Golding'. A superb association and a beautiful letter making a rare package for the Golding collector.