A Use of Riches, J. I. M. Stewart — 1st Edition

£55.00

A Use of Riches, J. I. M. Stewart — 1st Edition

Name: A Use of Riches, J. I. M. Stewart — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5774
Price: 55.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Victor Gollancz Ltd, 1957

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 224.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The book itself remains in excellent, highly attractive condition, maintaining firm structural integrity with a tight, square binding. The crimson cloth boards are remarkably bright and clean, with the gilt tooling to the spine remaining notably sharp and unoxidised. Internally, the visible page edges are crisp and clean, showing only the faintest signs of careful handling. The original yellow Gollancz dust jacket is unclipped, retaining the '13/6 net' price on the front flap, and presents exceptionally well. It has largely avoided the severe spine fading typical of this publisher's jackets, retaining a strong, vibrant yellow across the panels. There is some minor shelf-wear, primarily consisting of very slight creasing and minute nicks to the spine ends and corners, but it remains fully intact. Crucially, the jacket is accompanied by its original, highly fragile 'Book Society alternative Fiction Choice' wraparound band, which remains whole and well-preserved with only trivial rubbing, significantly elevating the desirability of this copy.

Catalogue Note: This is a first edition, first printing of J. I. M. Stewart’s A Use of Riches. The book is presented in the publisher's iconic typographic yellow dust jacket, synonymous with mid-century Victor Gollancz publications.

What makes this particular copy noteworthy is the survival of the original publisher's wraparound belly band, designating the novel as a 'Book Society alternative Fiction Choice' and highlighting that when the author writes detective stories, he uses the pseudonym Michael Innes.

Wraparound bands from this era were inherently ephemeral, typically discarded by the original buyer upon purchase or easily torn during reading. Consequently, finding a first edition that retains an intact band is scarce on the open market and highly sought after by collectors of Gollancz literature or Stewart's wider bibliography. The pristine survival of the remarkably un-sunned yellow jacket further distinguishes this as a collector-grade copy.

In A Use of Riches, J. I. M. Stewart turns his hand to an intricate exploration of art, marriage, and unexpected legacies. The story follows Rupert and Jill, whose marriage has happily lasted for several years. However, their idyllic existence is abruptly challenged when they receive their first intimations that their position may be a false one. A strange and hitherto unknown legacy involves a supposedly deceased individual who was blown to pieces on a historic bridge in Italy while attempting to persuade the Germans. As Rupert and Jill investigate, they are drawn into a profound and unsettling mystery that tests the boundaries of their marriage and uncovers hidden pasts.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: J. I. M. Stewart

Book Publisher: Victor Gollancz Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 224

Book Publication Year: 1957

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Letchworth, Hertfordshire, 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.