The Lieutenant and Others, 'Sapper'

£20.00

The Lieutenant and Others, 'Sapper'

Name: The Lieutenant and Others, 'Sapper'
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5754
Price: 20.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Hodder and Stoughton, c. 1918

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 175.

Condition Report: Good. The book is tightly bound in its original green cloth boards with black lettering. There is general rubbing to the extremities, mild bumping to the corners and spine ends, and the spine is sunned, resulting in darkened and slightly faded lettering. The text block remains remarkably sound and square, though the pages exhibit expected age-toning and moderate foxing, most notably along the text block edges. Housed in a clear protective archival sleeve, the volume maintains a solid and pleasing physical integrity, accented by a charming vintage bookseller's ticket affixed to the front paste-down.

Catalogue Note: This is an early reprint of "Sapper" (Herman Cyril McNeile)'s classic collection of First World War short stories. While the title page is undated, the publisher's advertisement on the verso of the half-title lists The Human Touch, definitively placing this printing no earlier than that counterpart's release.

The volume is notable for its provenance, bearing a striking vintage bookseller's ticket on the front paste-down from "Alex Brown, North Shore Library, Stationery, Etc." located on Cocker Street and Dickson Road in Blackpool, adding a layer of regional social history to this wartime artifact.

While true first editions of McNeile's early military works are increasingly scarce, these immediate post-war reprints offer collectors an authentic period piece at a more accessible entry point, perfectly capturing the contemporary appetite for frontline narratives.

Drawing heavily upon Herman Cyril McNeile’s own harrowing experiences as a Royal Engineer on the Western Front, The Lieutenant and Others is a raw, evocative collection of wartime sketches. Writing under the pseudonym 'Sapper' to circumvent military regulations, McNeile strips away the romanticised veneer of combat, plunging the reader directly into the mud, camaraderie, and grim reality of the trenches in the Ypres salient. Through his vivid, impressionistic prose, these stories capture the resilience, dark humour, and quiet tragedy of the ordinary British soldier, cementing Sapper’s legacy as one of the most authentic voices to emerge from the First World War.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: 'Sapper' (H. C. McNeile)

Book Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Anthologies & Short Stories

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 175

Book Publication Year: 1918

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.