Poems, Christopher Middleton — 1st Edition

£89.95

Poems, Christopher Middleton — 1st Edition

Name: Poems, Christopher Middleton — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6131
Price: 89.95 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, The Fortune Press, 1944

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 40.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original royal blue cloth boards remain remarkably vibrant and clean, exhibiting only minor shelf-wear. There is slight rubbing and trivial bumping to the spine head and tail, as well as light wear to the corner tips. The gilt titling to the spine remains legible though gently oxidised. The binding is tight and square. Internally, the text block is clean, featuring untrimmed fore and tail edges, with a faint degree of standard age-toning to the margins. There is a previous owner's neat ink inscription to the front free endpaper. Lacks the dust jacket. A handsome, sound survivor of a wartime production.

Catalogue Note: First Edition, First Impression of Christopher Middleton's debut poetry collection. Published by R. A. Caton's notorious Fortune Press during the height of the Second World War, this slim volume represents the inaugural effort of a writer who would become one of Britain's most distinguished late-twentieth-century poets and translators.

Middleton (1926–2015) largely disowned his early Fortune Press publications, making this debut work notably scarce on the open market, particularly in such well-preserved condition.

The front free endpaper bears the factual ownership inscription of one E. P. Hickson.

Christopher Middleton’s inaugural poetic foray, Poems, presents a striking early glimpse into the mind of a developing modernist. Privately, and somewhat controversially, produced by The Fortune Press, a publisher renowned for seizing upon the unguarded early works of soon-to-be-famous authors, this collection captures a youthful spirit forged in the shadow of global conflict. An essential acquisition for collectors of mid-century British verse and Fortune Press bibliophiles alike.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Christopher Middleton

Book Publisher: The Fortune Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 40

Book Publication Year: 1944

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.