Passionate Journey, Frans Masereel — 1st Edition (Penguin Books)

£19.99

Passionate Journey, Frans Masereel — 1st Edition (Penguin Books)

Name: Passionate Journey, Frans Masereel — 1st Edition (Penguin Books)
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4200-EV-R-VG-3
Price: 19.99 GBP
Availability: InStock

In stock

£19.99

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Publication: London, Penguin Books, 1988

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 176, in printed paper wrappers.

Condition Report: Very Good. Binding remains structurally sound and tight, with the printed paper wrappers exhibiting only modest handling wear, slight rubbing to the extremities, and minor creasing to the corners. Spine remains uncreased, holding the text block with excellent tension. Internally, the pages are notably clean and bright. A standard previous ownership signature is present to the front endpaper, but the primary text block remains free of any significant blemishes, tears, or dog-ears, ensuring the stark contrast of Masereel’s woodcuts is beautifully preserved. A well-kept surviving copy of this paperback edition.

Catalogue Note: First Penguin Books edition, first printing of Frans Masereel's magnum opus. Originally self-published in Geneva in 1919 as Mon Livre d'Heures, this release made Masereel's pioneering medium accessible to a late-twentieth-century audience in a single-volume, mass-market format.

Comprising 165 striking black-and-white woodcuts, the book famously opens with an introduction by the Nobel laureate Thomas Mann. While true first editions of Masereel's early twentieth-century print runs command significant antiquarian premiums, this printing serves as an excellent, accessible reading copy of a seminal graphic work.

The volume bears a neat previous ownership signature to the preliminary leaves, serving as a factual record of its late-twentieth-century provenance. As a widely circulated paperback, it is a familiar presence on the secondary market; however, copies retaining an uncreased spine and clean pages are increasingly appreciated by readers and students of the graphic arts.

Widely considered the first modern "wordless novel," Passionate Journey is a masterclass in visual storytelling told entirely through Frans Masereel's expressive, high-contrast woodcuts. Following the life, loves, joys, and struggles of an everyman traversing an industrialized metropolis, Masereel crafts a profound social critique alongside an enduring exploration of the human condition. Devoid of text yet overflowing with narrative depth and emotional resonance, this seminal work stands as a cornerstone of graphic literature, paving the way for the contemporary graphic novel.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Frans Masereel; Thomas Mann

Book Publisher: Penguin Books

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Classic Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 176

Book Publication Year: 1988

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Softcover

Illustrator: Frans Masereel

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.