Halcyon, Pierre Herbart — 1st Edition

Name: Halcyon, Pierre Herbart — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5288
Price: 15.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, John Lehmann Limited, 1948.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 76.

Condition Report: Very Good. The light blue cloth binding remains firmly square and tight, displaying only minor rubbing to the extremities and slight pushing to the spine ends. The boards exhibit some gentle fading along the spine and a few faint, sporadic surface marks, most notably a small reddish blemish to the upper board and a greenish spot to the rear, yet the striking black spine panel and its gilt lettering remain perfectly bright and unoxidised. Internally, the volume is highly commendable; while there is a whisper of natural toning to the extreme edges of the endpapers, the text block and line drawings are notably crisp, entirely free from foxing or significant shelf-wear, and are unmarked by any previous ownership signatures. An altogether sturdy and pleasing copy.

Catalogue Note: This is the first UK edition of Pierre Herbart's Halcyon, translated from the French by Agnes Mackay. The volume is notably enhanced by the minimalist, evocative line drawings of John Harrison, which perfectly complement the novella's introspective tone. Printed and bound by The Garden City Press in Letchworth, this John Lehmann publication reflects the press’s post-war dedication to bringing avant-garde European literature to the British public. While copies retaining their original dust jackets have become scarce and command a premium, bare-board examples such as this remain relatively accessible on the open market, presenting a solid representative copy of this mid-century translation.

Originally published in French, Pierre Herbart’s Halcyon is a lyrical and enigmatic novella that explores themes of memory, youth, and longing within a secluded, dreamlike setting. Following the delicate, internal shifts of its characters, brought to life in this edition by John Harrison’s elegant line illustrations, the narrative immerses the reader in a melancholic coming-of-age experience. With an atmospheric translation by Agnes Mackay, this mid-century work remains a compelling reflection on innocence, isolation, and the fleeting nature of an idyllic world.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Pierre Herbart

Book Publisher: John Lehmann Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 76

Book Publication Year: 1948

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: John Harrison

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.