Our Kid, Billy Hopkins — 1st Edition

£42.50

Our Kid, Billy Hopkins — 1st Edition

Name: Our Kid, Billy Hopkins — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5141
Price: 42.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Headline Book Publishing, 1998

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 384.

Condition Report: Near Fine. This copy is presented in an unclipped dust jacket, which remains exceptionally bright and clean, showing virtually no edge wear, fading, or creasing. The original blue hardback boards are robust and sharp, with unbumped corners and a remarkably tight, square spine adorned with pristine gilt lettering. Internally, the binding is flawlessly tight, opening cleanly without any separation or weakness at the hinges. The text block is crisp, bright, and entirely free of foxing, thumbing, or toning, indicating it has been carefully stored and likely unread. There is a neat, personalised authorial inscription on the front free endpaper; otherwise, the pages are uniformly immaculate throughout, making this a superb, collector-grade example.

Catalogue Note: This is a true First Edition, First Impression, with the full number line '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' present on the copyright page.

The volume features a notable authorial inscription on the front free endpaper: "To Tony and Marion / With my very best wishes / 'He who laughs, lasts...' / Billy (Wilf) Hopkins / June 2000." Because the author, born Wilfred Hopkins, penned his work under the pseudonym Billy Hopkins, the dual signature of "Billy (Wilf)" provides a charming and authentic piece of provenance.

True first printing hardbacks are uncommonly found in such pristine, well-preserved condition. Signed copies are particularly scarce, making this an excellent acquisition for collectors of modern Northern British literature.

Drawing heavily upon the author's own upbringing, Our Kid is a vivid, humorous, and deeply nostalgic novelization of a Catholic childhood in the slums of Manchester during the 1930s. Born into a sprawling, impoverished family in Collyhurst, young Billy endures the harsh realities of the Depression, the strict discipline of the local nuns, and the disruption of being evacuated to Blackpool at the onset of the Second World War. Despite a diet of bread and dripping and a landlady who saves the best rations for her own children, Billy's indomitable Northern spirit and mischievous sense of humour carry him through. Hopkins weaves an authentic and heart-warming tapestry of working-class life, capturing both the struggles and the profound communal bonds of a vanished era.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Billy Hopkins

Book Publisher: Headline Book Publishing

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: Yes

Book Pages: 384

Book Publication Year: 1998

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Chippenham, Wiltshire, 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.