The Death of The Moth and Other Essays, Virginia Woolf

£49.50

The Death of The Moth and Other Essays, Virginia Woolf

Name: The Death of The Moth and Other Essays, Virginia Woolf
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4881
Price: 49.50 GBP
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The Death of The Moth and Other Essays, Virginia Woolf — First Readers Union Edition

Publication: London, Readers Union / The Hogarth Press, 1943

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [vi], 157, [1].

Condition Report: Very Good. A remarkably well-preserved example in the publisher's original grey textured weave cloth. The binding remains structural, square, and tight, with intact hinges and only light softening to the head and foot of the spine. The printed paper spine label, so often chipped, rubbed, or entirely lost, is fully intact, displaying light, even age-toning while retaining clear black lettering and the decorative moth motif. The boards are clean and flat, with subtle light toning around the perimeters. Internally, the text block is square and firmly bound. The page edges and leaf margins exhibit expected uniform paper-toning, a standard characteristic of wartime volumes produced under authorised War Economy Standards, but the paper remains crisp, unblemished, and entirely free from foxing or internal markings. The black-and-white photographic frontispiece portrait of Woolf is clean, sharp, and firmly tipped in.

Catalogue Note: First Readers Union Edition (1st ed. thus), published in 1943 following the original 1942 Hogarth Press edition. Issued by arrangement with The Hogarth Press, this edition was produced in strict conformity with British War Economy Standards, utilising lighter paper stock and concise typography typical of the period.

The volume is embellished with a fine photographic frontispiece portrait of Virginia Woolf. The delicate paper spine label features an illustration designed specifically for the Readers Union production, adding a distinctive aesthetic touch to this wartime printing.

Copies of this edition preserving the fragile paper spine label in unchipped condition remain uncommon on the open market, as wartime paper materials were exceptionally prone to wear and disintegration over time.

Published posthumously in the year following her tragic death, The Death of The Moth and Other Essays brings together twenty-eight essays, sketches, and literary reviews selected by Leonard Woolf. Ranging from luminous meditations on nature and mortality, most famously embodied in the haunting title essay, to sharp critical examinations of Edward Gibbon, Henry James, Madame de Sévigné, and E. M. Forster, the collection showcases Virginia Woolf at the height of her essayistic power. Written with her trademark fluidity, intellect, and acute observation of the human condition, this collection serves as a vital testament to one of the twentieth century’s greatest prose stylists.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Virginia Woolf

Book Publisher: Readers Union / The Hogarth Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Criticism & Essays

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 157

Book Publication Year: 1943

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Letchworth, 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.