A Pitman's Anthology, Compiled by William Maurice — 1st Edition

£20.00

A Pitman's Anthology, Compiled by William Maurice — 1st Edition

Name: A Pitman's Anthology, Compiled by William Maurice — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5010
Price: 20.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, James & James (Publishers) Ltd, 2004

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 312.

Condition Report: Fine. The book is presented in an exceptionally well-preserved state, demonstrating virtually no signs of handling or shelf-wear. The dark grey cloth boards are remarkably clean with sharp, unbumped corners, and the gilt lettering upon the spine remains brilliantly bright and unoxidised. Internally, the binding is tight and square, providing a firm, structural integrity to the text block. The pages are pristine, crisp, and free from any foxing, tanning, or internal blemishes, complemented by a fresh yellow silk marker ribbon. The accompanying dust jacket is equally impressive, retaining its original vibrant finish without any chips or tears, and is now housed in a protective mylar sleeve to ensure its continued preservation.

Catalogue Note: This is a First Edition of William Maurice's posthumously published anthology, brought to fruition by his grandson, William Jackson, and sponsored by The Wolf Safety Lamp Company Ltd. The volume is richly illustrated with period photographs and artwork, notably featuring a striking half-title reproduction of a bronze by Constantin Meunier, alongside a copyright-page reproduction of an original piece by George Bissill.

While the primary manuscript was originally compiled during Maurice’s lifetime (1872–1951), it remained unpublished until its discovery in the 1990s during office renovations, making this 2004 release the true first appearance of the compiled work. The edition is relatively uncommon on the open market today, particularly in such immaculate condition, serving as an excellent reference copy for collectors of mining history, British industrial literature, and coalfield heritage.

Compiled by William Maurice and published over half a century after his death, A Pitman's Anthology is a compelling and comprehensive tribute to the literature, history, and daily reality of the coal mining industry. The collection features over fifty curated extracts, bridging the gap between celebrated literary figures, such as Emile Zola, D.H. Lawrence, and J.B. Priestley, and the authentic, raw voices of the miners themselves. Accompanied by a biographical essay by William Jackson, this anthology offers an evocative exploration of the physical arduousness, the camaraderie, and the enduring cultural legacy of the British collier.

Book Condition: Fine

Book Authors: William Maurice

Book Publisher: James & James (Publishers) Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 312

Book Publication Year: 2004

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Constantin Meunier, George Bissill

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.