The Lady in the Van, Alan Bennett — 1st Edition

£24.95

The Lady in the Van, Alan Bennett — 1st Edition

Name: The Lady in the Van, Alan Bennett — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6097
Price: 24.95 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, LRB Limited, 1990

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 48.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original card wrappers remain well-preserved, displaying only minor edge-wear, slight rubbing to the extremities, and a trivial crease to the lower front corner. The binding is remarkably tight and structurally sound, benefiting from an entirely uncreased spine that indicates the book has seen very little reading wear. Internally, the text block is clean and the crisp pages exhibit only a faint, even age-toning typical of the paper stock. A highly attractive and solid copy of a fragile publication.

Catalogue Note: First edition, first impression. This fragile paperback constitutes the true first separate edition of Bennett's celebrated work. It originally appeared in the tenth-anniversary issue of the London Review of Books in October 1989 before being issued here as a standalone publication the following year. This format significantly precedes the later, widely available mass-market and hardcover editions.

Finding a surviving copy of this true first printing in such robust condition, without the usual heavy handling wear or fading, is increasingly uncommon on the open market, as they were printed in small numbers and are highly susceptible to damage.

Alan Bennett's classic, bittersweet memoir chronicles the story of one English eccentric, or maybe two. It details the residency of Miss Mary Shepherd, a deeply eccentric and stubborn homeless woman who parked her broken-down van in Bennett's driveway. Ironic, sad, and sometimes hilarious, it is a masterclass in observational writing and one of Bennett's most beloved works.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Alan Bennett

Book Publisher: LRB Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Autobiography, Biography & Memoirs

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 48

Book Publication Year: 1990

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Softcover

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.