{"product_id":"mr-beluncle-v-s-pritchett-1st-edition","title":"Mr Beluncle, V.S. Pritchett — 1st Edition","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"42\"\u003ePublication\u003c\/b\u003e: London, Chatto and Windus, 1951 \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"87\"\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"87\"\u003eFormatting\u003c\/b\u003e: 8vo, pp. [iv], 298.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"119\"\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/b\u003e: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"960\"\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/b\u003e: 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').\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003eWhile 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003eThere are no previous ownership inscriptions or bookplates present in this copy. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"349\"\u003eMr Beluncle\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55570258592083,"sku":"6363","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20261015_122658.jpg?v=1792758200","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/mr-beluncle-v-s-pritchett-1st-edition","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}