Echo de Paris, Laurence Housman — 1st Edition, Limited

£50.00

Echo de Paris, Laurence Housman — 1st Edition, Limited

Name: Echo de Paris, Laurence Housman — 1st Edition, Limited
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5351
Price: 50.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Jonathan Cape, 1923

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 60.

Condition Report: Very Good. The binding remains remarkably tight and square, preserving the structural integrity of the quarter purple cloth and grey paper-covered boards. The printed spine label is present but shows minor rubbing. The primary detraction is the condition of the original dust jacket, which, while a remarkable survival for a fragile 1923 wrapper, exhibits notable chipping to the spine head, tail, and corners, alongside general edge-wear and age-toning to the panels. Internally, the pages are beautifully clean and bright, maintaining their pleasing untrimmed deckled edges without prominent foxing or unwanted internal markings, making this a highly presentable, structurally sound survivor of this limited run.

Catalogue Note: This is a First Edition, limited to 750 numbered copies printed for sale, of which this is unequivocally copy number 540. It was published concurrently with a scarcer large-paper run of 250 signed copies.

What elevates this particular trade copy is the retention of its fragile original printed dust jacket (retaining the 7s. 6d. net flap price)—an increasingly uncommon survival for Jonathan Cape imprints of this early interwar period. The text is unillustrated but elegantly laid out with generous margins and classic typography, reflecting the high production standards of 1920s small-press influenced trade publications. Unsigned trade copies in their original wrappers rarely appear on the open market without severe loss to the jacket, adding distinct appeal for collectors of Housman, Oscar Wilde, or 1920s literary history.

Echo de Paris is Laurence Housman's poignant and carefully constructed biographical reconstruction of his final meeting with Oscar Wilde in Paris in 1899, shortly after Wilde's release from Reading Gaol. Delivered almost entirely in dialogue, the work captures the fading brilliance, wit, and tragic melancholy of the disgraced playwright in exile. Housman, a devoted friend to Wilde during his final years, presents a deeply personal vignette that illuminates the enduring spirit of a literary giant living in the shadow of his own ruin.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Laurence Housman

Book Publisher: Jonathan Cape

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Autobiography, Biography & Memoirs

Book edition: First Edition and Limited Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 60

Book Publication Year: 1923

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.