Dickens, Bernard Darwin — 1st Edition

£40.00

Dickens, Bernard Darwin — 1st Edition

Name: Dickens, Bernard Darwin — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5830
Price: 40.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Duckworth, 1933

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 135.

Condition Report: Good. The book remains structurally sound and firmly bound in its original red cloth, demonstrating solid structural integrity. The boards exhibit some light, uneven sunning and minor shelf-wear to the extremities, particularly where the jacket is lacking, but present well overall. Internally, the pages are clean, crisp, and largely free from foxing, with the front free endpaper bearing a neat ink ownership inscription. The original dust jacket has suffered significant loss, entirely lacking its rear panel and exhibiting chipping to the head and foot of the spine; however, the striking Pegasus illustration and price medallion on the front panel remain vivid. A sound reading copy with surviving aesthetic appeal.

Catalogue Note: This is a first edition of Bernard Darwin’s contribution to Duckworth’s Great Lives series, published in 1933. While Darwin is most celebrated for his golf writing, he was a devoted authority on Charles Dickens, and this compact biography remains a highly regarded study.

The front free endpaper bears the ink signature of Granville Garley, dated "Scarborough, July 1934". Garley was an avid mid-twentieth-century collector of Dickensiana, and his dated inscriptions frequently surface on first editions and critical studies of the author from this era, adding a pleasing touch of domestic provenance.

While copies of the book are relatively common, examples retaining any portion of the fragile pre-war dust jacket are increasingly scarce on the open market.

Penned by Bernard Darwin, grandson of the famed naturalist and an esteemed Dickensian scholar in his own right, this concise biography distils the life of Charles Dickens into a single, vibrant volume. Originally issued as the eleventh instalment of Duckworth's Great Lives series, the book traces the legendary author's journey from his early days in a blacking factory to his transatlantic tours and final years at Gad's Hill. Darwin's lively prose offers both a comprehensive overview for the casual reader and sharp, critical insights for the devoted enthusiast.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Bernard Darwin

Book Publisher: Duckworth

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Autobiography, Biography & Memoirs

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 135

Book Publication Year: 1933

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Great Lives

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.