The Dean's Elbow, A. E. W. Mason — 1st Edition

£37.50

The Dean's Elbow, A. E. W. Mason — 1st Edition

Name: The Dean's Elbow, A. E. W. Mason — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6750
Price: 37.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1930

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 312.

Condition Report: Very Good. The blue cloth binding remains remarkably square and tight, boasting notably vibrant, unoxidised gilt lettering to the spine and showing only faint shelf-wear at the extremities. The internal text block is solid, with the letterpress impression remaining clean and sharp across the pages. There is a subtle, expected degree of age-toning to the paper and some light dust-dulling to the top edge, but no conspicuous foxing. The original, unclipped dust jacket retains its 7/6 net pricing and striking bell buoy cover artwork; it displays some minor chipping and rubbing to the spine ends and corners, alongside light sun-fading to the spine panel, yet it remains highly presentable and structurally sound.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition of A. E. W. Mason's 1930 novel, complete with its original and highly evocative illustrated dust jacket. Retaining a 1930s jacket in presentable, unclipped condition is a considerable boon for collectors, as the fragile paper stock of this era often succumbs entirely to the ravages of time and mishandling.

Alfred Edward Woodley Mason (1865–1948) was a prominent figure in early twentieth-century British literature. He is perhaps best remembered for his enduring military novel The Four Feathers, as noted amongst his extensive bibliography on the rear panel, and his creation of Inspector Hanaud, a French detective who served as a seminal influence on the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.

The Dean's Elbow presents a compelling psychological drama of ambition, sacrifice, and the inescapable weight of past decisions. The narrative charts the trajectory of Mark Thewliss, a man driven by a fierce desire for industrial success and societal standing, who eschews romantic entanglement for the singular pursuit of his career. However, as he ascends to the pinnacle of his profession, the sudden reappearance of his past, specifically in the form of a daughter he never knew, forces him to confront the emotional cost of his ruthless ambition and re-evaluate the true measure of a fulfilled life.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: A. E. W. Mason

Book Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 312

Book Publication Year: 1930

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

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.