Mary Stuart, John Drinkwater — 1st Edition, Signed

£162.50

Mary Stuart, John Drinkwater — 1st Edition, Signed

Name: Mary Stuart, John Drinkwater — 1st Edition, Signed
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6087
Price: 162.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£162.50

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Publication: London, Sidgwick & Jackson, Ltd., 1921

Formatting: Crown 8vo, pp. [vi], 73.

Condition Report: Near Fine in a Very Good dust jacket. The book's binding is notably tight and structurally sound, featuring vibrant red boards that remain unfaded and sharp at the corners, complemented by a perfectly intact, unrubbed printed paper spine label. Internally, the text block is exceptionally clean and crisp, displaying only the faintest whisper of age-toning to the page margins, completely free from foxing, tearing, or obtrusive blemishes. The original dust jacket is beautifully preserved within a protective sleeve; it exhibits characteristic, even darkening to the spine and mild toning to the panels, alongside some gentle shelf-wear and rubbing to the spine ends, yet remains unclipped, still proudly bearing the original 3/6 net price on the spine.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition, firmly established by the statement "First Published in 1921" on the copyright page without any indication of subsequent printings.

A particularly noteworthy feature of this copy is the genuine signature of the author, John Drinkwater, elegantly penned in black ink on the title page directly beneath his printed name. Drinkwater was a central figure in the early twentieth-century British literary and theatrical landscape, renowned not only as a poet and dramatist but also as a driving force behind the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

While standard copies of Drinkwater's plays are obtainable, signed first editions retaining their fragile original dust jackets have become increasingly uncommon on the open market, making this an attractive acquisition for collectors of modern British drama.

Mary Stuart is a compelling historical drama that delves into the complex psychology, tragic romance, and precarious political manoeuvrings of Mary, Queen of Scots. Stripping away the grandiose mythos often surrounding the Scottish queen, Drinkwater presents a deeply human portrait of a woman tragically entangled in matters of love, statecraft, and betrayal. Known for his ability to distil sweeping historical narratives into gripping, character-driven theatrical works, Drinkwater offers a poignant exploration of power, vulnerability, and the enduring consequences of a divided heart.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: John Drinkwater

Book Publisher: Sidgwick & Jackson, Ltd.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: Yes

Book Pages: 79

Book Publication Year: 1921

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Guildford and Esher, 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.