A Sketch of My Life, Thomas Mann — 1st English Edition

£40.99

A Sketch of My Life, Thomas Mann — 1st English Edition

Name: A Sketch of My Life, Thomas Mann — 1st English Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4129-RM-F-VG-17
Price: 40.99 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Secker & Warburg, 1961

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 87.

Condition Report: Near Fine. This copy is exceptionally well-preserved, housed in its original, highly evocative pictorial dust jacket. The jacket exhibits only the faintest traces of rubbing to the extreme edges and negligible softening at the spine ends, retaining a vibrant and unrubbed front panel. Publisher's original cloth binding remains perfectly rigid and sharp, with unbumped corners and no discernible shelf-wear to the boards. The binding is remarkably tight, suggesting the book has gone largely unread. Internally, the volume is pristine; the hinges are fully intact, and the text block sits squarely. The pages are crisp, bright, and completely free from foxing, moisture damage, or internal markings.

Catalogue Note: First UK edition of Mann's autobiographical work, brought to a wider British audience after its initial translation. The English translation by H. T. Lowe-Porter was originally issued thirty years prior, in 1930, by Harrison of Paris as an exclusive limited edition of 785 copies.

While the text itself is unillustrated, the volume is noted for its striking monochromatic dust jacket, featuring a picturesque landscape of a European cathedral town alongside a river. Copies of this early 1960s production are somewhat susceptible to fading and edge-chipping, making examples in this highly preserved, unmarked state desirable for collectors of Nobel laureates. There are no bookplates, ownership inscriptions, or binders' stamps present, presenting a wonderfully clean and untouched copy.

Originally penned during a period of immense creative reflection, A Sketch of My Life offers a rare, intimate look into the mind of Thomas Mann, the 1929 Nobel Laureate in Literature. Mann charts the defining trajectory of his life and artistic development, moving from his youth in Lübeck to the genesis of monumental works such as Buddenbrooks and The Magic Mountain.

Candid and impeccably styled, this brief yet profound memoir captures the philosophical and personal evolution of one of the twentieth century's true literary titans. It remains an essential companion piece for understanding the private thoughts that fueled his public masterpieces.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Thomas Mann

Book Publisher: Secker & Warburg

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Autobiography, Biography & Memoirs

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 87

Book Publication Year: 1961

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Cloth

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.