The Awkward Age, Henry James — 1st UK Edition

£249.00

The Awkward Age, Henry James — 1st UK Edition

Name: The Awkward Age, Henry James — 1st UK Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4211
Price: 249.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£249.00

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Publication: London, William Heinemann, 1899

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [vi], 414.

Condition Report: Good. Orriginal blue cloth boards remain remarkably tight and structurally sound, with the blind-stamped tulip design on the front board still sharp and well-defined. The back board features a blind-stamped publisher's monogram in the bottom right corner. The spine gilt retains much of its original brightness, though the extremities exhibit moderate shelf-wear, including minor creasing and slight rubbing to the head and tail, as well as gently bruised corners. The text block edges are age-toned and mildly foxed, typical of the paper stock from this era. Internally, the volume notably lacks the preliminary blank leaf and the half-title page. The hinges remain secure, presenting a solid, appealing copy despite the preliminary shortcomings.

Catalogue Note: First UK edition of Henry James's classic novel, originally serialised in Harper's Weekly.This specific copy features the recognised secondary binding, often associated with the "colonial issue" or second state, characterised by the blind-stamped design of nine tulip buds on the front board, distinguishing it from the four irises found on the primary domestic issue. Such copies were frequently bound for the colonial market before being returned or distributed domestically.

The title page bears the neat, contemporary ink signature of a previous owner, "M Garnett". Additionally, a small vintage bookseller's ticket for "Blackwells Oxford. England" is affixed to the front pastedown, tracing the book's history through one of the UK's most historic independent bookshops. While missing its preliminary leaves, this variant binding remains an important and uncommonly seen piece of Jamesian bibliography.

First serialized in 1898 before its 1899 book publication, The Awkward Age stands as one of Henry James's most dialogue-driven and socially incisive novels. Set in the decadent milieu of fin-de-siècle London, it unravels the complex, often hypocritical social dynamics of an effete circle led by the formidable Mrs. Brookenham. When her eighteen-year-old daughter, Nanda, comes of age and enters this sophisticated, cynical world, her presence acts as a catalyst for a series of subtle machinations, thwarted romances, and moral reckonings. Praised for its theatrical precision, the novel is a masterful, ambiguous critique of the corrupting influence of society on the threshold of a new century.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Henry James

Book Publisher: William Heinemann

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Classic Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 414

Book Publication Year: 1899

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Cloth

Illustrator: N/A

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.