Hortensius, Friend of Nero, Edith Pargeter — 1st Edition

£85.00

Hortensius, Friend of Nero, Edith Pargeter — 1st Edition

Name: Hortensius, Friend of Nero, Edith Pargeter — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4810
Price: 85.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Lovat Dickson Limited, 1936

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 216.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original purple cloth binding remains remarkably tight, square, and structurally sound, with the gilt medallion and lettering to the front board retaining a bright, unoxidised appearance. The spine exhibits typical sunning, fading to a muted plum tone, accompanied by soft rubbing and minor bumping to the head and tail extremities. The upper front board shows a faint, isolated blemish, but the cloth is otherwise clean. Internally, the text block is clean and firmly bound, featuring authentically untrimmed rough-cut page edges that show natural, light age-toning. The endpapers display some mild foxing and offsetting, but the primary text remains crisp and free from major defects, presenting a handsome, well-preserved copy of a scarce survivor.

Catalogue Note: This is the true first edition, first printing of Edith Pargeter’s debut historical novel, an early milestone published before her legendary success under the pseudonym Ellis Peters. The text is beautifully complemented by the striking line drawings and chapter headings of John Farleigh, a prominent wood-engraver and illustrator of the period.

Early UK first printings of Pargeter’s pre-war output are notably scarce on the open market, particularly in their original cloth bindings without severe institutional wear. Given its status as her inaugural foray into the historical fiction genre that would ultimately define her literary legacy, this stands as a significant cornerstone piece for collectors of her work.

Set against the perilous backdrop of Imperial Rome, this captivating narrative follows the esteemed Marcus Hortensius in the turbulent aftermath of the Apostle Paul's execution. When Hortensius bravely intervenes to save a friend's Christian wife from the brutality of the arena, he draws the ire of Emperor Nero and is forced into sudden exile. Accompanied by a loyal Persian slave with whom he forms a profound connection, Hortensius must navigate a dangerous path of survival, sacrifice, and forbidden love. A lyrical and deeply moral tale, it introduces the rich historical world-building that would become the author's beloved hallmark.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Edith Pargeter

Book Publisher: Lovat Dickson Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 216

Book Publication Year: 1936

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: John Farleigh

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.