A Dance of the Forests, Wole Soyinka — 1st Edition

£100.00

A Dance of the Forests, Wole Soyinka — 1st Edition

Name: A Dance of the Forests, Wole Soyinka — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6723
Price: 100.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Oxford University Press, 1963

Formatting: 12mo, pp. 89.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The brightly illustrated paper wrappers remain crisp and vividly coloured, entirely free from the creasing, rubbing, or edge-wear typically associated with softcovers of this vintage, having been exceptionally well-preserved in a clear protective sleeve. The binding is remarkably tight, with a square, uncreased spine that strongly suggests the play has never been fully opened or read. Internally, the text block is bright and immaculate, exhibiting only the faintest age-typical toning to the top edge, with no internal markings, foxing, or dog-eared pages to detract from its superb state of preservation.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition, first printing of Soyinka's seminal play, issued as part of Oxford University Press's esteemed "Three Crowns Book" series. The cover features the striking original artwork designed by Taj Ahmed.

Of particular note is the presence of the publisher’s original pre-publication review slip, loosely inserted within the preliminary pages. The slip explicitly requests that no review of the work should appear before the official publication date of 25 April 1963.

True first printings in this unread, collector-grade condition are increasingly scarce on the open market, and the inclusion of the intact review slip elevates this specific copy to a premium state for collectors of modern African literature.

Written to coincide with the Nigerian Independence Celebrations in October 1960, A Dance of the Forests is a tour-de-force of theatrical storytelling and one of Wole Soyinka's most ambitious creations. Rather than offering a simple, triumphant celebration of a new nation, Soyinka utilizes the rich tapestry of Yoruba mythology to summon the ancestors of the living, forcing contemporary society to confront the corrupt and bloody realities of its past. Bitingly satirical and fiercely uncompromising, this landmark play explores the complexities of nation-building, historical memory, and human fallibility, cementing its place as a cornerstone of twentieth-century drama by the African continent's first Nobel Laureate in Literature.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Wole Soyinka

Book Publisher: Oxford University Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 89

Book Publication Year: 1963

Book Publication Date: April 25, 1963

Book Binding: Paperback

Illustrator: Taj Ahmed

Book Series: A Three Crowns Book

Country/region of manufacture: Aylesbury, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.