An Imperial Obligation, Thomas H. Mawson — 1st Edition

£35.00

An Imperial Obligation, Thomas H. Mawson — 1st Edition

Name: An Imperial Obligation, Thomas H. Mawson — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6375
Price: 35.00 GBP
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An Imperial Obligation: Industrial Villages for Partially Disabled Soldiers & Sailors, Thomas H. Mawson — 1st Edition

Publication: London, Grant Richards, 1917.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xxii, 124, [2].

Condition Report: Very Good. The binding remains remarkably tight and structurally sound, with the original blue cloth boards retaining much of their colour despite exhibiting light shelf-wear, slight dirt accumulation, and minor bumping to the corners. The contrasting cream cloth spine has become significantly age-toned and darkened, a common occurrence for this wartime binding style, yet the ornate gilt tooling and lettering across both the spine and front board remain exceptionally bright and unoxidised. The text block is solid, though all page edges are noticeably age-toned. Internally, the pages are free from tears or major structural defects, but there is moderate, scattered foxing present, most prominent across the preliminary and terminal leaves, alongside general age-toning throughout the margins, which is consistent with the paper stock utilised during this period.

Catalogue Note: This copy is a first edition, second impression of Mawson's visionary proposal, printed in August 1917, mere months after the initial February release.

The book is bound in its original blue cloth with a contrasting cream spine, featuring an elaborate gilt-stamped crest to the front board depicting angels and architectural motifs.

Early printings of this work, particularly those retaining such a solid structural integrity and bright, unrubbed gilt tooling, are uncommon on the open market, as many surviving copies suffer from heavily degraded spines or cracked hinges.

Published during the height of the First World War, An Imperial Obligation presents Thomas H. Mawson's pioneering architectural and social blueprint for the post-war rehabilitation of disabled servicemen. Recognising the impending crisis of housing and employing wounded veterans returning from the front, Mawson proposed the creation of self-sustaining 'industrial villages,' purpose-built communities where veterans could live in specially adapted housing, work at suitable trades, and receive ongoing care. Blending urban planning with a profound sense of national duty, this historical text offers a fascinating glimpse into early twentieth-century social welfare and the architectural response to the human cost of the Great War.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Thomas H. Mawson

Book Publisher: Grant Richards

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 148

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.