Short Talks with the Dead, Hilaire Belloc — 1st Edition

£69.50

Short Talks with the Dead, Hilaire Belloc — 1st Edition

Name: Short Talks with the Dead, Hilaire Belloc — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6819
Price: 69.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: Kensington, The Cayme Press, 1926

Formatting: 8vo.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original brown cloth boards remain structurally sound and square, displaying only minor rubbing to the extremities and light bumping to the spine ends. The printed paper spine label is fully intact, though it exhibits characteristic age-darkening and sunning. To the rear board, there is a distinct, square patch of discolouration at the bottom right corner, likely the ghost of a removed label or an old damp stain. The page block edges are age-toned with some dustiness to the top edge. Internally, the binding remains remarkably tight and secure. While the preliminary leaves show minor spotting and general age-toning typical of the paper stock used by the Pelican Press, the text block is clean, crisp, and free from major defects, foxing, or internal markings.

Catalogue Note: This is the true first edition, first printing of Hilaire Belloc’s celebrated collection of essays. The title page features a striking, detailed woodcut device of a stag amongst foliage. The book is dedicated "To Lady O'Conor" and includes an index of the twenty-nine essays, opening with "Talking of Fakes" and "Talking of Bad News".

This original printing is genuinely scarce on the open market, particularly in unsophisticated condition with its original paper spine label intact.

In Short Talks with the Dead and Others, the prolific and ever-combative Hilaire Belloc turns his sharp intellect and trademark wit to a wide variety of subjects. Ranging from the profound to the delightfully absurd, these twenty-nine essays showcase Belloc's masterful prose and his deep suspicion of modernity. Whether meditating on mortality, dissecting the foibles of contemporary society, or reflecting on the enduring power of the sea, Belloc remains a fiercely independent thinker. This collection stands as a testament to his reputation as one of the most formidable and entertaining essayists of the early twentieth century.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Hilaire Belloc

Book Publisher: The Cayme Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Criticism & Essays

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 1926

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Kensington, 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.