Sword at Sunset, Rosemary Sutcliff — 1st Edition

£42.70

Sword at Sunset, Rosemary Sutcliff — 1st Edition

Name: Sword at Sunset, Rosemary Sutcliff — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6751
Price: 42.70 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1963

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 480.

Condition Report: Very Good. A remarkably well-preserved copy of this Arthurian classic. The original dark cloth boards remain firm and square, presenting with sharp corners and only the faintest suggestion of shelf-wear to the spine extremities. The binding is tight and sound. Internally, the text block is exceptionally bright and clean, free from any foxing, spotting, or prior ownership inscriptions, and it successfully retains its dark green topstain. The original wraparound dust jacket is highly attractive; it has been neatly price-clipped at the front flap and shows only minor rubbing to the spine ends and panel edges, with no significant chips, tears, or sunning.

Catalogue Note: First edition, first printing. The copyright page correctly denotes "First printed 1963" by Hodder and Stoughton, and the text is housed in the publisher's original dark cloth binding with a striking red and gilt title block to the spine. The volume is complete with its evocative illustrated map endpapers charting the geography of post-Roman Britain, which beautifully set the stage for Sutcliff’s gritty historical landscape.

Though Sutcliff is widely celebrated for her young adult historical fiction, Sword at Sunset represents her most ambitious and mature work, crafted specifically for an adult audience.

True UK first editions of this title have become increasingly uncommon on the open market, and finding a copy free from library stamps or heavy reading wear is notable. This well-kept, albeit price-clipped, example stands as a highly desirable addition to any collection of modern Arthurian literature or 20th-century historical fiction.

In Sword at Sunset, Rosemary Sutcliff strips away the romanticised veneer of medieval chivalry to present a masterful, grounded reimagining of the King Arthur legend. Narrated by Artos the Bear himself, the novel chronicles his brutal, lifelong struggle to unite the disparate factions of post-Roman Britain and hold back the encroaching Saxon tide. Sweeping in its historical scope yet deeply personal, it is a haunting tale of leadership, sacrifice, and the heavy price of defending a flickering civilisation against the dying of the light.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Rosemary Sutcliff

Book Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 480

Book Publication Year: 1963

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Bungay, Suffolk, 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.