The Deceptive Grin of the Gravel Porters, Gavin Ewart — 1st Edition

£22.50

The Deceptive Grin of the Gravel Porters, Gavin Ewart — 1st Edition

Name: The Deceptive Grin of the Gravel Porters, Gavin Ewart — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5829
Price: 22.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, London Magazine editions, 1968

Formatting: Narrow 8vo, pp. 72.

Condition Report: Near Fine. A remarkably well-preserved example of this delicate paperback. The terracotta card wrappers remain exceptionally bright and clean, showing only the most trivial rubbing to the extremities and faint sunning to the spine, flaws that are standard for this binding but exceptionally mild here. The square, stitched binding remains perfectly tight and uncreased, with no reading lean. Internally, the pages are crisp, bright, and completely free from foxing, tearing, or dog-earing. An excellent, collector-quality example.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition of Gavin Ewart's 1968 poetry collection, issued as part of Alan Ross's distinctive London Magazine editions.

These pocket-sized editions were celebrated in their era for their highly functional, utilitarian design, memorably described by The Times on the back cover as having a "sensible, healthy look like wholemeal sandwiches cut narrow for the traveller's pocket".

While unsigned copies of this title are not exceedingly scarce on the open market, encountering a copy with wrappers this vibrant and an entirely uncreased spine is an uncommon find for this specific series.

Published in 1968, The deceptive grin of the gravel porters cemented Gavin Ewart's reputation as a master of both serious social observation and sharp, often subversive, light verse. This collection perfectly balances his characteristic wit, poignant autobiographical reflections, and unique structural approach, exemplified by opening poems like "The Black Box," securing his place as a highly entertaining voice in twentieth-century British poetry.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Gavin Ewart

Book Publisher: London Magazine editions

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 72

Book Publication Year: 1968

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Softcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: London Magazine editions

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.