Hyssop, James Prior — 1st Edition, Signed

£125.00

Hyssop, James Prior — 1st Edition, Signed

Name: Hyssop, James Prior — 1st Edition, Signed
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5645
Price: 125.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, William Heinemann, 1904

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 310.

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original red cloth binding remains remarkably bright and tight, preserved beautifully beneath a clear protective sleeve. The gilt titling to the front board and spine is sharp and unoxidised, with only trivial, superficial bumping to the spine ends and corners. The binding is firm and square, with no cracking to the hinges. Internally, there is moderate foxing to the preliminary leaves and the text block edges, typical for the paper stock of this era, but the primary text remains clean and completely legible throughout. An exceptionally smart, well-preserved copy of a difficult title.

Catalogue Note: First edition. The half-title bears the ink signature of "James Prior", a notable addition that serves as a wonderful association, though lacking further provenance to definitively confirm it as the author's hand rather than a contemporary ownership inscription.

Hyssop is widely considered Prior’s most elusive work on the open market. Written to capitalise on the success of his earlier hit Forest Folk, and set in Burton Joyce, it reportedly suffered from a rushed release and poorer initial sales, drastically limiting its survival rate today. A modern printed biographical note regarding James Prior Kirk’s life in Bingham and his literary legacy in the Midlands is laid in.

Set in the rural environs of Nottinghamshire, Hyssop explores the complexities of memory, identity, and provincial life following a devastating train crash that leaves a young woman with amnesia. She must be taught how to speak again by the middle-class family that adopts her. James Prior weaves a rich domestic drama that leans heavily on his masterful ear for the Midland dialect and his deep affection for the changing landscape of the English countryside.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: James Prior

Book Publisher: William Heinemann

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: Yes

Book Pages: 310

Book Publication Year: 1904

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.