A Kind of Loving, Stan Barstow — 1st Edition

£85.00

A Kind of Loving, Stan Barstow — 1st Edition

Name: A Kind of Loving, Stan Barstow — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5853
Price: 85.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Michael Joseph, 1960

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 286, [2].

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original black cloth binding remains tight and square, with the gilt lettering to the spine bright and unoxidised, showing only gentle bumping to the extremities and minor shelf-wear. The text block edges exhibit light dust-toning and faint foxing, primarily to the fore-edge. Internally, the pages are predominantly clean and bright, though there is some light spotting to the preliminary leaves, alongside a standard previous ownership signature to the front free endpaper. The original unclipped dust jacket, which retains the "16s net" price to the front flap, is housed in a clear protective sleeve. It displays slight edge-wear, minor rubbing, and expected age-toning to the spine and rear panel, but the front pictorial panel remains highly vibrant and attractive.

Catalogue Note: First edition, first impression of Stan Barstow's breakthrough debut novel. The volume features an uncredited wrap-around dust jacket design by Adrian Bailey, alongside a black-and-white author photograph by A. P. Harrison to the rear panel.

Considered a seminal work of British working-class fiction, A Kind of Loving is the first instalment in the author's Vic Brown trilogy. True first editions in their original, unclipped dust jackets have become increasingly uncommon on the open market, particularly in highly presentable condition without significant loss to the fragile paper wrapper.

Set in the industrial landscape of the West Riding of Yorkshire, A Kind of Loving captures the frustrations and yearnings of post-war youth. The novel follows Vic Brown, an ambitious young draughtsman who finds himself infatuated with Ingrid, a beautiful but demanding typist at his firm. As their casual romance spirals into an unexpected pregnancy and a forced marriage, Vic is forced to navigate the stifling reality of domestic duty, living with his disapproving mother-in-law, and the harsh transition into adulthood. Barstow’s unsentimental, sharply observed prose cemented the book as a classic of the 1960s "Angry Young Men" literary movement, brilliantly exploring what it truly means to love when choices are devastatingly limited.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Stan Barstow

Book Publisher: Michael Joseph

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 288

Book Publication Year: 1960

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Adrian Bailey

Book Series: Vic Brown Trilogy

Country/region of manufacture: Tonbridge, Kent, 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.