Odysseus: The Ships, George Mackay Brown — Limited 1st Edition

£100.00

Odysseus: The Ships, George Mackay Brown — Limited 1st Edition

Name: Odysseus: The Ships, George Mackay Brown — Limited 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5169
Price: 100.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: York, The Celtic Cross Press, 2011

Formatting: Large 8vo, pp. 26.

Condition Report: Fine. The quarter oatmeal buckram spine and ochre cloth boards remain impeccably clean and tight, with the gilt galley vignette to the upper board gleaming and entirely unoxidised. The binding is exceptionally square and firm, showing no evidence of shelf-wear, bumping, or rubbing to the extremities. Internally, the text block is pristine; the heavy, untrimmed mould-made paper leaves are bright, crisp, and entirely free from foxing, handling marks, or previous ownership inscriptions, presenting as an immaculate, unread copy.

Catalogue Note: This is a strictly limited First Edition of Odysseus: The Ships, restricted to a mere 100 copies, of which this is number 49. The volume was meticulously handset in Goudy Old Style and printed via traditional letterpress.

The work is strikingly illustrated by Rosemary Roberts, featuring two-colour images printed directly from the blocks. Roberts has additionally signed the colophon in pencil, authenticating this particular copy. The elegant binding was executed by the esteemed Ludlow Bookbinders.

Given the exceedingly small print run and the enduring collectability of George Mackay Brown’s limited publications, copies of this edition rarely surface on the open market, making it a notably scarce acquisition.

Originally conceived in 1984 as part of an unfinished trilogy entitled Atlantis, Odysseus: The Ships gathers twelve previously unpublished poems by the celebrated Orcadian poet George Mackay Brown. Published posthumously, this evocative sequence reimagines the Homeric epic through the lens of ordinary island life, capturing the quiet anxieties of the men and women left behind, the bustling boatyards, and the encroaching shadow of the sea. It is a masterful distillation of myth and maritime melancholy.

Book Condition: Fine

Book Authors: George Mackay Brown

Book Publisher: The Celtic Cross Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Collectables & Artwork

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: Yes

Book Pages: 26

Book Publication Year: 2011

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Quarter Cloth

Illustrator: Rosemary Roberts

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Wass, North Yorkshire, 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.