A Passage To India

A Passage to India by E.M. Forster is considered a monumental work of English Literature. The book tells the story of race and empire in India during the British Raj. A false accusation of sexual assault based on racist English assumptions forms the basis of the story. Dr. Aziz, a Muslim physician, is accused of assaulting a young woman during an expedition to Marabar Caves. The trial and ultimate consequences of the accusation expose the deep problems with British governance in India during this period, and the depth of feeling opposed to British rule among the Indian people. The book has received several awards, including the James Talt Black Memorial Prize in 1924, and is present on several lists of the best books of the twentieth century. 

The novel was first published by Edward Arnold, in London in 1924. The trade edition was comprised of 5,000 copies in a red cloth binding and a plain printed wrapper. A limited edition of 200 copies was issued as well in brown cloth, each numbered and signed by Forster. Signed copies of the red cloth edition in fine or near fine condition can range in value up to $4,000 or $5,000, with the limited edition in brown cloth demanding $5,000 and higher. First American editions are generally priced up to $2,000.