Letters to Vernon Watkins, Dylan Thomas — 1st Edition

£78.00

Letters to Vernon Watkins, Dylan Thomas — 1st Edition

Name: Letters to Vernon Watkins, Dylan Thomas — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4120C-?-F-VG-37
Price: 78.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£78.00

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Publication: London, J. M. Dent and Sons Limited and Faber and Faber Limited, 1957.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 145.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The book presents exceptionally well in its original, vibrant two-tone dust jacket, exhibiting practically no fading to the spine. The jacket edges remain remarkably sharp with no discernible chips, closed tears, or creasing, pointing to a well-preserved life on the shelf. Internally, the preliminary and title pages are crisp, bright, and firmly bound, entirely free of foxing or typical age-toning. The text block sits squarely with secure hinges, showing no structural weakness or sagging. Overall, a fresh, bright and attractive copy.

Catalogue Note: First edition, first impression, edited with an introduction by the poet Vernon Watkins himself. The rear panel of the jacket advertises several of Thomas's other foundational works published by Dent, including Under Milk Wood and his Collected Poems, 1934-1952.

Increasingly scarce in such a bright, un-sunned state. The fragile two-tone paper jackets of this era are notoriously prone to severe fading, particularly along the spine, making this copy highly desirable for collectors seeking an aesthetically pure example. Furthermore, scholarly interest in this volume remains high, as it serves as an essential primary text for understanding the evolution of Thomas's poetic archive and his working drafts.

Published four years after Dylan Thomas's tragic and premature death, Letters to Vernon Watkins offers an intimate, unfiltered glimpse into the workshop of a literary genius. The correspondence reveals Thomas not merely as the roaring, mythologized public figure, but as a meticulous, doubtful, and wildly humorous craftsman. Watkins, a close friend and fellow Welsh poet whom Thomas respected deeply, acted as both sounding board and editor. Through these letters, readers trace the genesis and painstaking revision of some of Thomas's most celebrated poems, providing an invaluable map of his creative landscape and the profound connections between his life and his enduring work.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Dylan Thomas

Book Publisher: J.M. Dent and Sons; Faber and Faber

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 145

Book Publication Year: 1957

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Cloth

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.