The Deserted Village, Oliver Goldsmith — Limited Edition

£94.50

The Deserted Village, Oliver Goldsmith — Limited Edition

Name: The Deserted Village, Oliver Goldsmith — Limited Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5221
Price: 94.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£94.50

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Publication: Dingle, The Hawthorn Private Press, 1980

Formatting: Slim 8vo, unpaginated.

Condition Report: Very Good. The volume is housed in a plain paper wrapper that exhibits noticeable foxing, spotting, and some toning, particularly along the spine and margins. Beneath the wrapper, however, the quarter green cloth and mustard paper-covered boards remain remarkably vibrant and clean, with sharp corners and no significant shelf-wear. Internally, the binding is tight and secure. The text block is exceptionally crisp and bright, free from internal foxing, with the only addition being a neat previous owner's signature dated 1980 to the front free endpaper.

Catalogue Note: This is a highly scarce limited edition of Oliver Goldsmith's pastoral masterpiece, produced by the Hawthorn Private Press in Dingle, County Kerry. While the press produced a smaller 75-copy edition in Dublin in 1975, this subsequent 1980 Dingle printing was limited to 220 numbered copies. This particular volume is an early issue, being copy number 5, and bears the handwritten signature of the printer, Stan Phelan, alongside the date to the colophon.

The typography is handsomely executed, set in 14-point Caslon with uncial openings, and printed in magenta and black ink on vellum Conqueror laid paper using an Arab platen press. Complementing the fine presswork are illustrations by Tom Roche. With composition by Mavis Phelan and machine work by Stan Phelan, this volume stands as a deeply personal and beautifully crafted artefact of late-20th-century Irish private press history. Copies of this specific Dingle printing are exceptionally uncommon on the open market today.

Originally published in 1770, Oliver Goldsmith's The Deserted Village is a poignant pastoral elegy that laments the decline of rural village life and the displacement of the peasantry due to the creeping forces of wealth concentration and land enclosure. Through evocative imagery of "Sweet Auburn," Goldsmith critiques the social costs of the Industrial Revolution and agrarian shift. This striking private press edition offers a tactile, visually beautiful presentation of Goldsmith's enduring poetic masterwork, celebrating both the rich literary heritage of Ireland and the artisan dedication of the Hawthorn Private Press.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Oliver Goldsmith

Book Publisher: The Hawthorn Private Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Poetry

Book edition:

Signed: Yes

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 1980

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Tom Roche

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland

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.