Portraits of Islands, Eileen Molony (Ed.) — 1st Edition

£40.00

Portraits of Islands, Eileen Molony (Ed.) — 1st Edition

Name: Portraits of Islands, Eileen Molony (Ed.) — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6089
Price: 40.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Dennis Dobson Ltd, 1951

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 147.

Condition Report: Near Fine in a Very Good dust jacket. The green woven cloth boards are exceptionally bright and crisp, with sharp corners and firm spine ends displaying virtually no shelf-wear. The binding remains remarkably tight and square, holding the text block securely and suggesting the volume has been seldom read. Internally, the pages are exceedingly clean, free of any spotting or foxing, with only the mildest, uniform age-toning to the top edge of the text block. The unclipped dust jacket is wonderfully well-preserved; it exhibits only slight rubbing to the extreme spine tips and corners, with no significant tears or loss, ensuring a highly attractive shelf presence.

Catalogue Note: This is a first edition, first impression. An uncommon find in such a well-preserved state, the book features a striking wrap-around dust jacket designed by Susan Williams-Ellis, co-founder of Portmeirion Pottery, whose distinctive mid-century aesthetic perfectly captures the coastal atmosphere.

The volume brings together a series of topographical essays by distinguished literary figures, most notably a dedicated chapter on the Isle of Man by the celebrated poet and broadcaster John Betjeman. Other notable contributors include Clough Williams-Ellis writing on the St. Tudwal Islands and Desmond Hawkins on Guernsey.

Copies retaining this level of brightness to the original dust jacket, which still displays its 9s 6d net price on the front flap, are increasingly scarce on the open market, making it an excellent addition for collectors of mid-twentieth-century British topography.

A captivating mid-century exploration of Britain's coastal fringes, Portraits of Islands brings together twelve specially commissioned essays by leading writers and naturalists of the era. Edited by Eileen Molony, the collection offers evocative, highly individualised portraits of remote and storied landscapes, from the windswept Aran Islands to the rocky outcrops of St. Kilda. Moving beyond the scope of traditional guidebooks, each contributor presents a deeply personal reflection on the island that most captured their imagination. The result is a rich, literary tapestry of natural history, local folklore, and atmospheric topography.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Eileen Molony (Ed.)

Book Publisher: Dennis Dobson Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Geography

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 147

Book Publication Year: 1951

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Susan Williams-Ellis

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.