Character Named After Recipient

The Da Vinci Code [Association Copy Set]

Brown, Dan

Publication: New York: Doubleday, 2003. First Edition.

Notes: A series of four books, all inscribed, that tell a compelling story about this run-away bestseller and film source. These books come from the library of Andre Vernet. He died on May 5, 2024, aged 95 years. For half a century, he was connected to Phillips Exeter Academy, where Dan Brown attended and his father taught. Vernet is credited in the acknowledgements of The Da Vinci code and a character in the book, a Swiss banker (played by Jürgen Prochnow in the film), is named for him. Chapter 43 begins, "Andre Vernet—the president of the Paris branch of the Depository Bank of Zurich—lived in a lavish flat above the bank." Brown, in a statement in a British court case explained, "Andre Vernet was a French teacher at Exeter."

The books are:

* Deception Point (first edition, VG/VG), inscribed "To André, my French Connection! Looking forward to working with you on Da Vinci Code.—Dan." This book establishes the Brown planned to consult Vernet before The Da Vinci Code was complete; the fact that Brown quotes a film title in the inscription is an added bonus;

* The Da Vinci Code (uncorrected proof with just text on the front cover; VG), inscribed, "André, Thanks for being my French Connection! Dan." This version of the book has been revised in ways small and large from the finished book (for example, compare the top of page 421 in the final book to page 413 in this proof). Vernet is responsible for many of the small changes, which he has marked on at least ten pages and in almost every case Brown revised the text Vernet marked. Laid into this copy is a short note from Brown acknowledging the change in the description of a church, which Brown originally called a cathedral.

* The Da Vinci Code (first edition, NF/NF), inscribed, "To André, my favorite Swiss banker! Thanks for all your help along the way. Dan."

* The Da Vinci Code: Special Illustrated Edition (first edition, VG/VG), inscribed, "To Andre—Everyone's favorite Swiss Banker! Dan Brown."

Edition + Condition: An exceptional group of books. The first three are housed in a black-cloth clamshell box.

Item No: #365223

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