Grand Hotel, Vicki Baum — 1st UK Edition

£70.00

Grand Hotel, Vicki Baum — 1st UK Edition

Name: Grand Hotel, Vicki Baum — 1st UK Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5581
Price: 70.00 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

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Publication: London, Geoffrey Bles, 1930

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [iv], 315, [1].

Condition Report: Very Good. The original pale blue cloth binding remains remarkably tight and square, featuring crisp black lettering to the front board and spine. There is some minor sunning and dust-darkening to the spine panel, alongside light bumping to the spine extremities, which is typical for the era. The rear board is clean with only negligible edge wear. Internally, the text block edges display moderate toning and some mild foxing, which is most noticeable on the top and fore-edges. A previous owner's pencil signature is neatly inscribed on the preliminary page. The interior pages, including the title and copyright pages, are clean and free from any significant blemishes, resulting in a highly solid, attractive copy of a book seldom found in decent original condition without its dust jacket.

Catalogue Note: This is the first English language edition (and first UK edition) of Vicki Baum’s quintessential masterpiece, originally published in German as Menschen im Hotel in 1929. Translated by Basil Creighton, this edition was published in London by Geoffrey Bles in September 1930.

Grand Hotel is a foundational text of modernist urban fiction and interwar literature, celebrated for its stylistic hybridity and "Americanism." The novel's cinematic pace and interlocking narratives pioneered a new subgenre of ensemble storytelling, leading directly to the Academy Award-winning 1932 MGM film adaptation starring Greta Garbo and John Barrymore.

First UK printings in the original pale blue cloth are increasingly uncommon on the open market, particularly when retaining a tight, square binding and clean boards.

Set against the bustling, intoxicating backdrop of 1920s Berlin, Grand Hotel intricately weaves together the fleeting lives of six vastly different hotel guests over the course of two days. From an ageing Russian ballerina and a terminally ill provincial accountant determined to experience his final days in luxury, to a cynical war veteran and an opportunistic master thief, the novel captures the essence of Weimar-era society. As the revolving doors of the grand establishment turn, their lives intersect in a dramatic tapestry of love, despair, crime, and redemption, offering a fast-paced, unsentimental snapshot of modern alienation and humanity.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Vicki Baum

Book Publisher: Geoffrey Bles

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 320

Book Publication Year: 1930

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Letchworth, 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.