No Man's Land, 'Sapper' (Herman Cyril McNeile) — 1st Edition

£100.00

No Man's Land, 'Sapper' (Herman Cyril McNeile) — 1st Edition

Name: No Man's Land, 'Sapper' (Herman Cyril McNeile) — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4832
Price: 100.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1917

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [vi], 328.

Condition Report: Near Fine. Benefiting immensely from a clear protective wrapper, the original maroon cloth boards remain remarkably bright and well-preserved, with sharp corners and an absence of the typical shelf-wear or sunning that plagues wartime bindings. The black lettering to both the spine and the front board remains bold and wholly unoxidised. The binding itself is entirely firm, square, and tight, with no lean or tenderness to the hinges. Internally, the text block exhibits the mild, uniform age-toning typical of the war-economy paper stock utilised during this period, but the pages remain completely clean, supple, and free from foxing. An early, exceptionally neat ink gift inscription to the preliminary half-title leaf reads "Blanche from Betsy November 15 1918." A truly handsome and structurally brilliant survivor.

Catalogue Note: Issued at the height of the First World War, this unillustrated first edition is notoriously difficult to source in such an excellent state of preservation. The war-economy production standards meant that copies were often printed on highly acidic paper and bound in cloth prone to heavy fading and fraying; consequently, most surviving examples present with cracked hinges and heavily bumped corners.

The author, H. C. McNeile, was an active officer in the Royal Engineers when he penned this collection, writing under the pseudonym 'Sapper' (a moniker bestowed upon him by Lord Northcliffe of the Daily Mail to preserve military anonymity). The provenance of this specific copy features a standard contemporary gift inscription, though its date, November 15, 1918, exactly four days after the Armistice was signed, provides a poignant historical anchor for a book so steeped in the conflict.

Penned with the raw immediacy of a soldier actively serving in the trenches, No Man's Land is a visceral collection of interconnected stories that plunge the reader directly into the grit, camaraderie, and terror of the Western Front. Divided into four parts, tracking the chaotic journey from civilian life to the harrowing realities of "The Land" itself, the narrative serves as both a gripping wartime thriller and a tribute to the resilience of the infantrymen. It offers an unfiltered, contemporary glimpse into the defining conflict of the early twentieth century, cementing Sapper's reputation as a masterful chronicler of action long before the creation of his iconic post-war hero, Bulldog Drummond.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: 'Sapper' (H. C. McNeile)

Book Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 328

Book Publication Year: 1917

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.