Maurice, E.M. Forster — 1st Edition

Name: Maurice, E.M. Forster — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6737
Price: 162.30 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Edward Arnold, 1971

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 241.

Condition Report: Near Fine in a Very Good+ dust jacket. The black cloth boards remain sharp and square with bright, unoxidised gilt lettering to the spine. The binding is tight and secure, exhibiting no significant shelf-wear and suggesting the volume has been scarcely read. Internally, the pages are crisp and clean, completely free of foxing, with only the faintest hint of inevitable age-toning to the text block margins. The original gloss-black dust jacket presents beautifully; it exhibits minor surface rubbing inherent to this highly prone finish, alongside minimal edge-wear and slight creasing to the spine ends, but features no significant chips, tears, or fading. A highly attractive, well-preserved copy.

Catalogue Note: This is the true first United Kingdom printing of Forster’s landmark posthumous novel, preceding the American edition by Norton. Although Forster began writing the manuscript in 1913 and completed it the following year, he famously determined it could not be published during his lifetime due to its overt homosexual themes and his steadfast insistence on a happy ending for its protagonists. It was finally published in 1971, a year after his death.

Finding this edition in such highly collectible condition has become increasingly uncommon on the open market. The high-gloss black dust jacket is notoriously susceptible to heavy scratching, rubbing, and edge-peel; copies that present as cleanly as this one without major cosmetic flaws are highly desirable additions to any modern first editions or LGBTQ+ literature collection.

Set against the rigid backdrop of Edwardian English society, Maurice follows the life of Maurice Hall from his public school days to Cambridge and beyond. Grappling with his identity and societal expectations, Maurice experiences the heartbreak of unrequited platonic love with his aristocratic peer, Clive Durham, before unexpectedly finding profound, liberating passion with an estate gamekeeper, Alec Scudder. Defying the tragic tropes typical of early twentieth-century homosexual fiction, Forster boldly gifted his characters a triumphant and enduringly happy resolution.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: E.M. Forster

Book Publisher: Edward Arnold

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 241

Book Publication Year: 1971

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.