{"product_id":"he-apple-cart-a-political-extravaganza-bernard-shaw-1st-edition","title":"The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza, Bernard Shaw — 1st Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication\u003c\/strong\u003e: London, Constable and Company Ltd., 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormatting\u003c\/strong\u003e: 8vo, pp. [viii], 78.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/strong\u003e: Very Good. The original olive green cloth boards remain remarkably bright and clean, protected well by the wrapper, with only the lightest touch of rubbing to the extremities. The binding is firm and square, with sharp corners. Internally, the pages are generally clean and crisp, save for some mild, customary toning and occasional spotting to the text block edges. The original printed dust wrapper is present but exhibits significant wear, with notable splitting along the front joint, chipping to the spine ends, and several closed tears along the upper margins. Unusually, a charming pictorial bookplate is affixed directly to the inside front flap of the wrapper rather than the traditional pastedown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/strong\u003e: First edition. A compelling political comedy, first performed in Warsaw before its English debut by Sir Barry Jackson at the Malvern Festival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis particular copy is notable for its highly unusual placement of provenance: a decorative mermaid bookplate, custom-designed by \"D.W.\" for Margaret D. Smith, is affixed directly to the inner front flap of the dust wrapper rather than the book itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocating a copy that retains its original unclipped dust wrapper, even in a worn state, adds desirable appeal for the dedicated Shaw collector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSet in a satirical future, \u003ci\u003eThe Apple Cart\u003c\/i\u003e explores the escalating tensions between a constitutional monarch and his democratically elected, yet increasingly tyrannical, cabinet. King Magnus, facing an ultimatum that would strip him of all political influence and render him a mere figurehead, threatens to abdicate, dissolve the monarchy, and run for Prime Minister himself. Through blistering dialogue and sharp wit, Shaw dissects the frailties of modern democracy, bureaucratic vanity, and the true nature of power, delivering a philosophical extravaganza that remains strikingly relevant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54495627149651,"sku":"4926","price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20260730_232110.jpg?v=1785934182","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/he-apple-cart-a-political-extravaganza-bernard-shaw-1st-edition","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}