Sound Your 'A' — 1st Edition, Signed

£98.10

Sound Your 'A' — 1st Edition, Signed

Name: Sound Your 'A' — 1st Edition, Signed
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6682
Price: 98.10 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£98.10

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Sound Your 'A', Ian C. Bentley, H. R. Douglas, Peter B. Gammond, John Taylor, G. W. L. Telfer, J. Irving Wardle — 1st Edition

Publication: London, The Fortune Press, [c. 1948]

Formatting: Slim 8vo, unpaginated.

Condition Report: Very Good. The binding is firm, tight, and remains reassuringly square, featuring clean, light blue cloth boards with sharp corners and bright red lettering to the spine, entirely free of shelf-wear or bumping. Internally, the text block is exceptionally bright, clean, and free of foxing or age-toning, with supple leaves and sound hinges. The original, unclipped dust jacket (retaining the 6s. price) shows moderate general age-toning, surface grubbiness, and light shelf-wear to the extremities, with very minor chipping and sunning to the spine ends, yet it remains whole and attractive in a protective archival sleeve.

Catalogue Note: A scarce first edition anthology showcasing early work by a collective of young, mid-century British poets. The Fortune Press, overseen by the eccentric and somewhat notorious R. A. Caton, was highly influential in publishing emerging poetic voices during and immediately after the Second World War, famously launching Philip Larkin’s career alongside a host of contemporaries. The book features stylised line-drawn decorations by Peter B. Gammond, who also contributed four poems to the collection.

This copy is notably enhanced by a contemporary presentation inscription on the front free endpaper from the lead contributor, Ian C. Bentley, who has signed his name and provided an evocative two-line quotation: "Take the step towards Eternity / Towards the heart of the Sun with me."

Copies of this particular anthology are exceedingly scarce in commerce, with almost no exact comparables available on the open market, rendering this signed and quoted copy a significant find for collectors of Fortune Press imprints or mid-century English verse.

A compelling, mid-century collection of original verse by six emerging poets, Ian C. Bentley, H. R. Douglas, Peter B. Gammond, John Taylor, G. W. L. Telfer, and J. Irving Wardle, published by London's legendary Fortune Press. Accompanied by striking surrealist line drawings, Sound Your 'A' captures the creative energy, melancholia, and experimental spirit of post-war British literary circles, providing a fascinating glimpse into an era defined by poetic renewal.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Ian C. Bentley, H. R. Douglas, Peter B. Gammond, John Taylor, G. W. L. Telfer, J. Irving Wardle

Book Publisher: The Fortune Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: Yes

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year:

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Peter B. Gammond

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.