The Aspern Papers, Henry James

Name: The Aspern Papers, Henry James
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5953
Price: 75.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, The Folio Press, 1990

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 92.

Condition Report: Near Fine. A bright, well-preserved copy with its quarter green cloth spine and gilt title tooling remaining unoxidised and sharp. The patterned Fabriano Ingres paper boards are remarkably clean, showing only the most trivial hints of shelf-wear to the extreme corners. The binding remains firm and perfectly square, with tight, sound hinges. Internally, the Magnani mould-made paper text-block is wonderfully crisp and completely free from foxing or blemishes, retaining its original freshness throughout.

Catalogue Note: This finely crafted edition features the definitive text of the 1908 New York edition of the classic novella. The volume is notably well-produced, having been printed in Dante type at the Stamperia Valdonega in Verona and quarter-bound in cloth with patterned paper sides by Legatoria Torriani of Milan. It is beautifully complemented by atmospheric colour lithographs by Edward Piper, which were printed at The Senecio Press in Oxfordshire.

Copies preserved in such tight, unblemished condition, without the typical fading to the spine or rubbing to the delicate paper boards, remain highly desirable for collectors of fine press literature and late-Victorian fiction.

Set against the enchanting, decaying grandeur of Venice, The Aspern Papers is a masterful tale of literary obsession and psychological intrigue. The novella follows an unnamed American editor on a ruthless quest to acquire the private, unpublished letters of the late Romantic poet Jeffrey Aspern. Renting a room from the poet's fiercely guarded former lover, Juliana Bordereau, and her timid niece, the narrator weaves a web of deceit that ultimately challenges the boundaries of privacy, morality, and ambition. The work remains one of the most brilliant and suspenseful explorations of human manipulation in the English language.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Henry James

Book Publisher: The Folio Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Classic Fiction

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 92

Book Publication Year: 1990

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Edward Piper

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Milan, Italy

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.