Sidelights on New London and Newer York and Other Essays, G. K. Chesterton — 1st Ed

£32.50

Sidelights on New London and Newer York and Other Essays, G. K. Chesterton — 1st Ed

Name: Sidelights on New London and Newer York and Other Essays, G. K. Chesterton — 1st Ed
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4961
Price: 32.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Sheed & Ward, 1932

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [vi], 235.

Condition Report: Very Good. Bound in the publisher's original orange cloth with black cityscape tooling and lettering to the spine. The binding remains remarkably tight, square, and firm, avoiding the gutter-cracking frequently seen in this edition. The cloth exhibits mild shelf-wear, primarily presenting as slight rubbing to the extremities and gentle sunning that has mildly darkened the spine. Internally, the book is highly commendable; the hinges are sound. The endpapers display some mild, localised offsetting and a trace of light spotting, while the text block itself remains notably bright, crisp, and clean throughout, entirely free from tears, modern inscriptions, or substantial blemishes. A handsome, well-preserved copy.

Catalogue Note: This is the true first edition, first printing of G. K. Chesterton's Sidelights on New London and Newer York and Other Essays, printed in Great Britain. A subsequent American edition was issued by Dodd, Mead & Co. later the same year.

The work is unillustrated and presented in its original trade binding of vibrant orange cloth, distinguished by the architectural spine tooling which captures the essence of the "Newer York" skyline explored within the essays. Devoid of any notable provenance or previous ownership inscriptions, the book remains a wonderfully clean example. While not exceptionally rare in the broader market, finding this true first British printing in such tight, clean condition without severe spine fading or structural weakening is increasingly uncommon for unjacketed copies.

A thought-provoking and occasionally bewildered critique of modernity, Sidelights on New London and Newer York and Other Essays captures G. K. Chesterton’s reflections following his travels to the United States in 1930. The essays juxtapose the rapid, dizzying industrial rise of the American landscape, epitomised by the 'Newer York' of skyscrapers and prohibition, against the fading, traditional character of 'New London' and the broader English way of life.

With his characteristic wit, paradox, and robust defence of common sense, Chesterton takes aim at progressive fads, Victorian hypocrisy, and materialism. Despite revealing a brilliant mind somewhat adrift in the modern American ethos, the collection remains a sharply insightful commentary on the cultural divergence of the early twentieth century.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: G. K. Chesterton

Book Publisher: Sheed & Ward

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Criticism & Essays

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 235

Book Publication Year: 1932

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Rochester, Kent, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

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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.
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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.

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