A Sheaf of Bluebells, Baroness Orczy — 1st Edition

£24.95

A Sheaf of Bluebells, Baroness Orczy — 1st Edition

Name: A Sheaf of Bluebells, Baroness Orczy — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6171
Price: 24.95 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Hutchinson & Co., 1917

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 348.

Condition Report: Very Good. The volume remains tightly bound and squarely set, with the original blue cloth displaying excellent binding integrity and remaining remarkably bright and free from significant fading. The front board's blind-stamped borders are sharp, and the spine condition is highly presentable, exhibiting only the most negligible hints of shelf wear at the head and foot. The primary physical flaw is moderate foxing; this page edge toning and spotting is most pronounced along the untrimmed fore-edge and roughly cut bottom edge, occasionally migrating into the margins of the preliminary leaves and title page. An early, standard ink ownership inscription reading "To Father / Wishing you many / happy returns of / day from Harry & Rene" is present on the front free endpaper, but the text block otherwise remains clean and supple, presenting a highly attractive and robust survivor.

Catalogue Note: A handsome true first edition of Baroness Orczy’s historical novel, published by Hutchinson in the autumn of 1917.

Following the immense and enduring success of The Scarlet Pimpernel, Orczy returned to the turbulence of France, setting her narrative against the ideological fractures between returning Royalist émigrés and the fierce followers of Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1918, she adapted the novel into a successful stage play titled The Legion of Honour, a title under which the book itself was occasionally reprinted in later decades.

Surviving first printings in the publisher’s original blue cloth are notably scarce on the open market. Finding a copy in such a bright state of preservation is particularly uncommon, as the wartime production standards of 1917 often led to the rapid deterioration and dulling of the cloth and paper stock.

Set amidst the smouldering embers of post-Revolutionary France, A Sheaf of Bluebells weaves a thrilling tale of divided loyalties, bitter family feuds, and dramatic romance. As Napoleon Bonaparte consolidates his iron grip on the nation, returning Royalist exiles clash violently with steadfast Imperialists. Amidst this volatile political landscape, young Laurent finds himself caught in an impossible predicament: torn between a profound allegiance to his country, a furious mother who disowns him for his Imperial loyalty, and a desperate battle for his own honour and the heart of the beautiful Fernande.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Baroness Orczy

Book Publisher: Hutchinson & Co.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 348

Book Publication Year: 1917

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

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.