Creed or Chaos?, Dorothy L. Sayers — 1st Edition
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Publication: London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1940
Formatting: 8vo, pp. 44.
Condition Report Very Good. The original blue paper wrappers remain bright and structurally sound, exhibiting only mild toning and faint surface wear consistent with age. There is minor creasing and gentle rubbing along the extremities, particularly at the spine folds and corners, but the delicate wrappers suffer no significant tears or loss. The binding mechanism holds entirely firm, with the pages remaining notably well-secured for a wartime staple-bound pamphlet. Internally, the text block is evenly and lightly toned but wonderfully crisp, clean, and entirely free from foxing, dampstaining, or obtrusive blemishes, presenting a highly legible and well-preserved copy.
Catalogue Note This is the scarce true first edition in book form of Dorothy L. Sayers's influential address, originally delivered at the Biennial Festival of the Church Tutorial Classes Association in Derby on May 4th, 1940. While Sayers's essays on faith and society would later be compiled into broader hardcover collections by other publishers in the late 1940s, this wartime pamphlet represents the text’s earliest standalone appearance.
Issued in fragile paper wrappers during a period of intense wartime rationing, copies in such an unblemished state of preservation are uncommonly encountered on the open market today. It stands as a significant piece of ephemeral history from one of the twentieth century's most formidable Christian apologists.
Delivered against the grim backdrop of the Second World War, Creed or Chaos? captures Dorothy L. Sayers at her most incisive and intellectually uncompromising. Confronting a society she viewed as having abandoned its foundational theology, Sayers fiercely argues that the dogmas of the Christian faith are not dull, abstract concepts, but thrilling, revolutionary truths essential to human survival. In this passionate address, she dismantles the notion of a purely secular, "good" society, insisting that without a rigorous understanding of Christian doctrine, the world is destined for chaos. It is a powerful, enduring manifesto on the vital necessity of orthodox faith in modern life.
Book Condition: Very Good
Book Authors: Dorothy L. Sayers
Book Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Antiquarian
Genre: Religion & Spirituality
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: No
Book Pages: 44
Book Publication Year: 1940
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Softcover
Illustrator: N/A
Book Series: N/A
Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| 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. |
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