Mr Beluncle, V.S. Pritchett — 1st Edition

£30.00

Mr Beluncle, V.S. Pritchett — 1st Edition

Name: Mr Beluncle, V.S. Pritchett — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6363
Price: 30.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Chatto and Windus, 1951

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [iv], 298.

Condition Report: Good condition overall. The publisher's original green cloth binding remains structurally firm and tightly bound, presenting with only minor shelf-wear and slight bumping to the spine extremities. The gilt tooling on the spine has dulled slightly but remains entirely legible. Internally, the text block is sound, though the fore-edges and top edge exhibit moderate to heavy foxing and age-toning typical of post-war paper stock. The preliminary leaves and endpapers show noticeable browning and pronounced tape offsetting, likely from a previous protective cover. The original dust jacket is unclipped, retaining the '12s 6d NET' printed price on the lower front flap, but it exhibits edge-wear, rubbing along the spine, minor chipping at the head and tail, and internal tape staining corresponding to the endpaper marks.

Catalogue Note: First edition, first impression. This printing is highly notable for its iconic, characterful dust jacket illustrated by the acclaimed British artist Edward Ardizzone (signed on the cover as 'Diz').

While V.S. Pritchett's literary works are relatively common on the open market, locating the true first printing complete with an unclipped Ardizzone dust jacket adds specific appeal for collectors of mid-century British literature and commercial illustration.

There are no previous ownership inscriptions or bookplates present in this copy.

Mr Beluncle is V.S. Pritchett’s brilliant, satirical masterpiece exploring the hypocrisies, delusions, and strictures of lower-middle-class English life. The novel follows Philip Beluncle, a tyrannical and self-deluded patriarch who runs a failing furniture business while using his fervent affiliation with a peculiar religious sect to mask his financial ineptitude and manipulate his family. Drawing heavily on Pritchett's own childhood and his Christian Scientist father, the narrative provides a sharp, comic, and deeply perceptive character study of a man entirely insulated by his own monstrous ego, resulting in one of the most memorable comic creations of post-war British fiction.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: V.S. Pritchett

Book Publisher: Chatto and Windus

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Humour Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 298

Book Publication Year: 1951

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover with Dust Jacket

Illustrator: Edward Ardizzone

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.