Talking, J. B. Priestley — 1st Edition

Name: Talking, J. B. Priestley — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4013
Price: 35.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Jarrolds, 1926.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 86.

Condition Report: Very Good. The book is tightly bound and square, retaining a firm structural integrity without any lean to the spine. Housed in a clear, removable protective sleeve, the original brown cloth boards have been remarkably well-preserved, remaining entirely free from the heavy shelf-wear or fading typical of this era. The gilt lettering and tooling to the spine remain wonderfully bright, sharp, and completely unoxidised. The text block's top edge shows only mild, age-appropriate darkening, while the fore-edge remains clean. Internally, the pages are crisp and bright, free from significant foxing, moisture damage, or extraneous marks. A previous owner's pencilled signature is present to the front free endpaper. Overall, a highly presentable and carefully maintained copy.

Catalogue Note: This is the first trade edition of J. B. Priestley's essay Talking, published as a constituent volume in the These Diversions series. The work features a handsome, tinted frontispiece portrait of the author.

Pre-dating his major breakthrough novels, this volume offers a pristine glimpse into the conversational, observational style that would ultimately define his career. Surviving copies in this condition, with bright cloth and sharp gilt—are genuinely uncommon on the open market, as the fragile bindings of the period were highly susceptible to handling wear.

In Talking, J. B. Priestley delivers a characteristically witty and insightful rumination on the psychology and art of conversation. With the observational warmth and gentle satire that would later cement his status as a giant of 20th-century English literature, Priestley dissects the nuances of social interaction, human idiosyncrasies, and the simple pleasures of a good chat. A charming and timeless essay that captures the quintessential voice of one of Britain's most beloved literary figures.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: J. B. Priestley

Book Publisher: Jarrolds

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Criticism & Essays

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 86

Book Publication Year: 1926

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: These Diversions

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.