A Background for Beryl, Sylvia Little — 1st Edition

Publication: London and Redhill, Lutterworth Press, 1947

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 91.

Condition Report: Very Good. The sky-blue cloth boards remain remarkably firm and well-preserved, exhibiting only faint fading and very minor rubbing to the extremities. The binding is notably tight and square, lacking any significant lean or play in the hinges. Internally, the pages are highly legible and clean, though they display the typical, even toning expected of post-war economy-standard paper stock, alongside occasional light, scattered foxing primarily relegated to the preliminary leaves, endpapers, and the text block edges. The original dust jacket retains bright, striking cover art with vibrant colours, avoiding the severe sun-fading often seen with this particular edition. It presents with minor edge-wear, rubbing, and a few short, closed tears to the spine tips and corners. The white rear panel shows some mild, age-related grubbing and soiling, and the verso exhibits noticeable foxing. Importantly, the jacket is entirely unclipped, retaining the original "3s. 6d. net" printed price on the flap, and is now preserved in an archival protective sleeve.

Catalogue Note: This is a true UK first edition, first printing of Sylvia Little's post-war girls' school story, published in 1947 by Lutterworth Press. The volume features a charming monochrome frontispiece depicting a quintessential boarding school scene, highly typical of the era's juvenile fiction. The copyright page distinctly notes that the book was produced in "complete conformity with the authorized economy standards," an evocative historical detail reflecting the severe material and paper shortages of post-WWII Britain.

While Sylvia Little's works were widely read upon publication, encountering a true first printing in its original dust jacket, particularly one that remains unclipped and free from significant loss, has become increasingly uncommon on the open market, as these fragile wartime-standard wrappers were highly prone to heavy deterioration and loss over the decades.

Beryl’s world is suddenly turned upside down when a tragic motor accident leaves her orphaned, penniless, and seemingly without prospects. However, a twist of fate introduces her to the wealthy playwright Henrietta Martin, who offers the fiery, red-haired Beryl an extraordinary opportunity: adoption, a new home in Paris, and the promise of seeing the wide world.

But before this grand new life can begin, Beryl must endure one final year at her boarding school—a term fraught with challenges, not least of which is confronting Christine Marlowe, the unforgiving head girl. With the help of her loyal friend Janet, Beryl must learn to master her temper, navigate the fierce schoolyard rivalries, and fight for her rightful place in the school, discovering her true heritage along the way.