Behind the Mirror, Robin Maugham — 1st Edition

£95.00

Behind the Mirror, Robin Maugham — 1st Edition

Name: Behind the Mirror, Robin Maugham — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4960
Price: 95.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£95.00

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Publication: London, Longmans, Green and Co, 1955

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 185.

Condition Report Very Good. The original blue cloth binding remains firm, square, and tight, with sharp corners and only the slightest hint of rubbing to the spine ends. The gilt lettering to the spine remains exceptionally bright and unoxidised. Internally, the text block is clean and squarely bound, showing uniform, light age-toning to the page margins and minor scattered foxing confined primarily to the preliminary leaves and fore-edges. The original dust jacket remains unclipped with the original "10/6 NET" price intact on the front flap. The wrapper exhibits vibrant, unfaded colours on the front panel, with some minor edge-wear, a few short closed tears, and light chipping to the spine head. The rear panel and internal flaps show moderate age-toning and occasional spotting, but the jacket presents highly attractively overall.

Catalogue Note This is a true first edition, first printing of Robin Maugham's psychological thriller. The volume is notably enhanced by its original striking dust jacket, designed by the celebrated Neo-Romantic artist John Minton, which perfectly captures the sultry, colonial atmosphere of the novel's East African setting.

The front free endpaper bears a neat, contemporary presentation inscription in ink: "Jacqueline Llewellyn / from Loochia / Xmas 1955", firmly establishing the book's provenance within its year of publication. Copies of the first printing that retain Minton's dust jacket in such bright, unclipped condition are becoming increasingly uncommon on the open market, particularly without the heavy fading or significant loss that often afflicts this delicate mid-century wrapper.

When a film studio sets out to produce a movie about the famous 1920s actress Daphne Moore, they are stalled by the need for legal clearance from Norman Hartleigh, a former diplomat and Moore's former lover, who has long since exiled himself to Tanganyika. Dispatched to East Africa to secure Hartleigh's signature, scriptwriter David Brent finds a reclusive, uncooperative man. As Brent digs deeper into Hartleigh’s past to understand his refusal, he unravels the scandalous truth behind the diplomat’s sudden 1928 resignation from the Foreign Office, his relationship with his young companion Bill Wayne, and the dark secrets that lie 'behind the mirror'.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Robin Maugham

Book Publisher: Longmans, Green and Co

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Thriller & Suspense

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 185

Book Publication Year: 1955

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: John Minton

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.