A Fountain of Flowers, H. E. Bates — 1st Edition

£20.00

A Fountain of Flowers, H. E. Bates — 1st Edition

Name: A Fountain of Flowers, H. E. Bates — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6015
Price: 20.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Michael Joseph, 1974

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 96.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The book presents beautifully in its original brown cloth binding, which remains sharp, entirely free of bumped corners, and features strikingly bright, unoxidised gilt lettering to the spine. The binding is tight and square, suggesting it has been unread or handled with immense care. Internally, the text block is clean and crisp, with only the faintest hint of age-toning to the very edges of the page margins, standard for paper stock of this era. The dust jacket is similarly excellent, vibrant, complete, and free of any tears, chipping, or notable shelf-wear, now preserved within a clear protective sleeve.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first printing of H. E. Bates's final work of nature writing, bringing his celebrated observations of the English countryside to a poignant close.

The volume is notably enhanced by a series of full-colour plates by the photographer Patrick Matthews, which beautifully complement the text.

While this title occasionally surfaces on the open market, it is increasingly uncommon to find copies that have retained such a crisp, well-preserved dust jacket without the typical sun-fading or edge-wear so often seen on publications of this era.

In this deeply personal and wonderfully engaging work, acclaimed author H. E. Bates invites readers into his own beloved Kentish garden. Rather than a rigid, instructional manual, the book serves as an enthusiastic and humorous celebration of horticultural life, from the first winter crocuses to the intoxicating scents of summer blooms. Bates’s signature lyrical prose transforms everyday observations of seeds, birds, and flowering plants into a captivating testament to the simple, enduring miracles of nature.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: H. E. Bates

Book Publisher: Michael Joseph

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Leisure, Crafts & Hobbies

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 96

Book Publication Year: 1974

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Patrick Matthews

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, 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.