Retreat, Edmund Blunden — 1st Edition

Name: Retreat, Edmund Blunden — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5146
Price: 17.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Richard Cobden-Sanderson, 1928

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 70.

Condition Report: Very Good. The book is bound in its original terracotta cloth with a printed paper title label to the upper spine; the cloth remains sharp, clean, and bright, while the spine label shows only minor, uniform toning and a touch of light rubbing at the head. The binding is square, tight, and sound. The deckle-edged textblock exhibits moderate foxing and spotting which is primarily concentrated on the endpapers, preliminary leaves, and title page, though the main body of text remains largely clear and highly legible. Overall, it presents as a firm, respectable copy, offered without the dust jacket.

Catalogue Note: This is the first trade edition of Edmund Blunden's post-war poetry collection, Retreat, published in 1928 following the immense success of his Hawthornden Prize-winning The Shepherd and Other Poems of Peace and War. Deeply affected by his experiences in the First World War, Blunden continued to explore themes of nature, memory, and pastoral nostalgia throughout his poetry, and this volume beautifully captures the quiet reflection characteristic of his inter-war output.

The book features an uncut fore-edge and bottom edge, characteristic of Cobden-Sanderson's elegant and traditional printing style, and bears the printed dedication "To Three I Love Mary Clare and John." While the publisher also issued a signed limited edition of 112 copies alongside this publication, this specific copy represents the standard trade issue.

In Retreat, acclaimed poet and First World War veteran Edmund Blunden offers a contemplative collection of verse that seeks solace in the English countryside and the enduring rhythms of nature. Published during the inter-war period, the poems reflect a quiet withdrawal from the trauma of the trenches, replacing the devastation of conflict with pastoral beauty and introspective elegy. With his characteristic Georgian lyricism, Blunden captures the profound longing for peace and the healing power of the natural world, cementing his place as a leading voice among the war poets who survived.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Edmund Blunden

Book Publisher: Richard Cobden-Sanderson

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 70

Book Publication Year: 1928

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.