Poems, Leonard Clark — 1st Edition

Name: Poems, Leonard Clark — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4193-RM-FR-VG-37
Price: 95.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, The Fortune Press, 1940

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 63.

Condition Report: Very Good. The dark blue cloth boards remain remarkably tight, firm, and clean, showing virtually no shelf-wear. Gilt lettering along the spine remains pleasingly bright and unoxidised. Text block appears securely bound and well-aligned. Original dust jacket exhibits moderate age-toning, dust-soiling, and some surface scuffing commensurate with its age. Slight creasing, a minor closed tear on the front panel, and general rubbing to the jacket's extremities and spine head; however, it remains largely intact without significant loss, presenting highly well as an authentic survivor of the period.

Catalogue Note: True first edition of Leonard Clark's debut poetry collection. Typical of R. A. Caton's eccentric but culturally significant Fortune Press productions, the rear panel and inner flaps of the dust jacket are heavily adorned with publisher's advertisements. Most notably, the front flap features a prominent listing for the seminal The New Apocalypse anthology, highlighting contributors such as Dylan Thomas.

The volume is unillustrated. Finding a complete 1940 first edition from this publisher that still retains its notoriously fragile original dust jacket in such intact condition is a notable scarcity on the open market, making it an excellent acquisition for collectors of mid-20th-century British poetry and small-press imprints.

Published at the dawn of the Second World War, Poems marks the inaugural collection from Leonard Clark, an esteemed English anthologist, poet, and Inspector of Schools. Deeply rooted in a profound reverence for the natural world and the undulating English landscape, Clark's early verses reflect a quietly enduring lyricism. His work provides a gentle, reflective, and poignant counterpoint to the global turbulence of the era in which it was printed, showcasing the early voice of a man who would dedicate his life to literature and education.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Leonard Clark

Book Publisher: The Fortune Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 63

Book Publication Year: 1940

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.