The Journeying Boy, Michael Innes — 1st Edition

£52.60

The Journeying Boy, Michael Innes — 1st Edition

Name: The Journeying Boy, Michael Innes — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6790
Price: 52.60 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Victor Gollancz Ltd, 1949.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 325.

Condition Report: Very Good. The book is securely bound in original bright red cloth boards with crisp black spine lettering, showing virtually no fading or corner bumping and indicating careful preservation. The binding is tight and square, and while the top edge of the text block exhibits some minor dust-darkening, the bottom edge remains clean. Internally, the preliminary leaves are bright and free from significant foxing or extraneous markings. The original yellow dust jacket justifies the has survived entirely unclipped, retaining the original 10/6 printed price on the front flap. The jacket does show some age-toning and mild surface soiling, particularly to the rear panel, alongside minor edge-wear and shallow chipping restricted mostly to the spine extremities.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition, first impression, with the copyright page cleanly stating "Copyright 1949" and bearing no subsequent printing history. The novel was written by the Oxford academic J. I. M. Stewart, whose legal name appears on the copyright page, though it was published under his famous crime-writing pseudonym, Michael Innes.

The book is unillustrated, relying entirely on the publisher's iconic typographic design format. It is offered in the striking original yellow-and-magenta dust wrapper printed by The Fanfare Press, London.

While bare copies of this post-war title are relatively common, finding an intact, original first-state jacket that has not been price-clipped is increasingly scarce on the open market.

Humphrey Paxton is the highly imaginative and somewhat difficult adolescent son of a prominent British atomic scientist. When Mr Thewless, a mild-mannered and thoroughly conventional tutor, is hired to accompany Humphrey on a holiday to rural Ireland, he expects nothing more than a quiet term of academic instruction. However, a startling incident on the train journey quickly shatters his complacency, plunging the tutor and his pupil into a labyrinth of espionage, kidnapping, and murder. Masterfully blending classic golden-age detective tropes with a postwar spy thriller, The Journeying Boy is a witty, donnish, and highly entertaining mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the final destination.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Michael Innes

Book Publisher: Victor Gollancz Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Crime & Mystery

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 325

Book Publication Year: 1949

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.