Human Shows, Far Phantasies, Songs, and Trifles, Thomas Hardy — 1st Ed

£52.50

Human Shows, Far Phantasies, Songs, and Trifles, Thomas Hardy — 1st Ed

Name: Human Shows, Far Phantasies, Songs, and Trifles, Thomas Hardy — 1st Ed
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6039
Price: 52.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£52.50

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Publication: London, Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1925

Formatting: 8vo, pp. x, 279.

Condition Report: Very Good. The book is presented in its original publisher's green cloth, which remains firm and structurally sound with a square binding. The gilt medallion to the front board remains notably bright and well-defined. As is entirely typical for this specific Macmillan binding, the spine exhibits noticeable sun-fading and toning, transitioning to a more olive-brown hue, alongside mild rubbing and gentle pushing to the spine tips and corners. Internally, the text block is pleasingly tight. The preliminary leaves and endpapers display some scattered foxing and age-toning, but the main body of the text remains generally clean. The attractive, untrimmed page edges are well-preserved, showing only the lightest signs of shelf-wear and minor spotting, fully justifying the grade for a century-old volume.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition of Thomas Hardy’s penultimate poetry collection, published in the latter part of 1925. The volume retains its original primary binding, featuring the distinguished gilt circular device on the upper board.

The front free endpaper bears a neat contemporary ownership inscription by an F. W. Cape of Newcastle upon Tyne, dated 24th November 1925, demonstrating that this copy was acquired and read almost immediately upon its initial release. The signature is accompanied by a brief, handwritten Latin quotation.

While first editions of Hardy’s later works are relatively accessible on the open market, finding tight copies in their original cloth with immediate contemporary provenance remains an appealing prospect for collectors.

Human Shows, Far Phantasies, Songs, and Trifles is Thomas Hardy's penultimate poetry collection, published just a few years before the great author's death. The volume gathers a rich miscellany of over one hundred and fifty poems, including new compositions alongside earlier, previously unpublished verses. Showcasing the enduring power of Hardy's literary voice in his twilight years, the collection is deeply characterised by his quintessential melancholic reflection. Through these verses, Hardy continues his lifelong exploration of love, loss, the relentless passage of time, and the inexorable hand of fate upon the human condition.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Thomas Hardy

Book Publisher: Macmillan and Co., Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 279

Book Publication Year: 1925

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.