Love Among the Chickens, P.G. Wodehouse — Popular Edition
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Publication: London, Herbert Jenkins Limited, 1921
Formatting: 8vo, pp. 256.
Condition Report: Very Good. The binding remains remarkably sound and tight for a cheaper post-war edition, with the red cloth boards showing typical sunning and mottling, most notably the fading to the spine. Despite this discolouration, the black lettering and publisher's decorative borders remain distinct and unrubbed. There is slight bruising to the spine ends and corner tips, but no major fraying or structural weakness. Internally, the text block is square and secure within the case. The pages exhibit the uniform browning characteristic of the economy paper stock utilised during this period, but they remain supple and are free from heavy foxing or tearing. A protective clear Mylar sleeve has been fitted to preserve the boards.
Catalogue Note: An intriguing and unrecorded early variant of the rewritten text. While P.G. Wodehouse originally published the novel in 1906, he entirely revised the story in 1920, shifting the first chapters to a first-person narrative and altering the conclusion. The true first issue of this revised text was released in blue cloth.
However, this copy represents an early secondary issue or 'Popular Edition' variant. Curiously, it retains the MCMXXI date on the title page and the "Entirely rewritten for this Edition" statement, but features "Popular Edition" on the title page verso and is bound in the red-orange cloth typical of the press's cheaper reprints. Unrecorded in the standard McIlvaine bibliography in this exact configuration, it offers a fascinating typographical snapshot of early print runs.
P.G. Wodehouse’s first novel for adults introduces readers to the irrepressible, chaotic entrepreneur Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge. When Ukridge and his new wife decide to set up a chicken farm in Dorset, despite possessing absolutely no knowledge of poultry, he drags his old friend, the novelist Jeremy Garnet, along for the ride. What follows is a riotous farce of escaping hens, unpaid bills, and romantic entanglements as Garnet attempts to woo a local professor's daughter amidst the unfolding agricultural disaster.
Book Condition: Very Good
Book Authors: P.G. Wodehouse
Book Publisher: Herbert Jenkins Limited
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Fiction
Genre: Humour Fiction
Book edition:
Signed: No
Book Pages: 256
Book Publication Year: 1921
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: N/A
Book Series: Ukridge
Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| 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. |
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