Black Laughter, Llewelyn Powys — 1st Edition

£25.50

Black Laughter, Llewelyn Powys — 1st Edition

Name: Black Laughter, Llewelyn Powys — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4701
Price: 25.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£25.50

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Publication: New York, Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1924

Formatting: 8vo, pp. x, [ii], 216.

Condition Report: Good. The book remains intact and completely readable, maintaining solid structural integrity despite moderate signs of wear and use. The publisher's black cloth binding shows light bumping to the spine ends, alongside a noticeable damp-stain and fading to the upper margin of the front board. The rear panel displays scuffing and several prominent, circular cup-ring stains. The hinges remain unbroken, holding the text block securely. Internally, the pages are largely clean and legible, save for some moderate age-toning to the extremities, typical spotting to the text block edges, and faint offsetting to the endpapers. The original dust jacket is absent.

Catalogue Note: This is the true first edition of Llewelyn Powys's Black Laughter, published in New York by Harcourt, Brace and Company in 1924. The American printing holds priority as the true first edition, preceding the British edition (published by Grant Richards) by a full year.

The volume is presented in the publisher's original, unadorned black cloth, distinguished by a striking, yellow-stamped vignette of a panther or puma on the front board alongside matching yellow titling. Powys’s works from this period were often published simultaneously or strictly overseas to capture different markets; however, the early Harcourt Brace printings of this specific title remain relatively uncommon on the open market, particularly when found in structurally sound condition without the need for restoration.

Drawing upon his transformative experiences managing a sprawling stock farm in the highlands of British East Africa (now Kenya) during the early 1920s, Llewelyn Powys delivers a vivid, raw, and often haunting account of the African wilderness. Black Laughter captures the primal rhythm of the continent, moving beyond mere travelogue to reflect deeply on the harsh beauty of the landscape, the wildness of its native fauna, and the psychological isolation of colonial life. Through his characteristically evocative and poetic prose, Powys offers an unflinching meditation on humanity's place within an indifferent and untamed natural world.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Llewelyn Powys

Book Publisher: Harcourt, Brace and Company

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Travel, Exploration & Adventure

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 216

Book Publication Year: 1924

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Rahway, New Jersey, United States

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.