The Lion and the Jewel, Wole Soyinka — 1st Edition

£100.00

The Lion and the Jewel, Wole Soyinka — 1st Edition

Name: The Lion and the Jewel, Wole Soyinka — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6724
Price: 100.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Oxford University Press, 1963

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 64.

Condition Report: Very Good. The paper wrappers remain bright and entirely intact, exhibiting only light shelf-wear to the extremities, mild rubbing to the corners, and a touch of natural sunning to the spine. The binding is secure, tight, and completely square. Internally, the pages are clean, crisp, and completely free of foxing or notations, showing only the faintest hint of uniform age-toning to the page margins, as is standard for the paper stock of this era. A highly presentable and remarkably well-preserved example of a fragile paperback publication.

Catalogue Note: First edition, first printing. This specific copy is exceptionally notable as a publisher's advance review copy, retaining its original printed and loosely inserted review slip. The slip specifies a publication date of 25 April 1963 and the original pre-publication price of "4/6 net," serving as a definitive marker of the book's true first state. The front wrapper features the striking original artwork by cover designer Taj Ahmed.

Early printings of Soyinka's plays in their original wrappers are uncommon on the open market, and they are genuinely scarce when complete with ephemeral publisher insertions such as the original review slip.

Set in the Yoruba village of Ilujinle, The Lion and the Jewel is one of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka's most celebrated and frequently performed plays. The ribald comedy centres on the conflict between traditional African values and Western modernity, explored through the bitter rivalry of Baroka, the wily and traditional 'Lion' (the village Bale), and Lakunle, the progressive but pompous schoolteacher. Both men vie for the affections of Sidi, the beautiful village 'Jewel', leading to a sharp, satirical exploration of cultural friction, vanity, and gender dynamics.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Wole Soyinka

Book Publisher: Oxford University Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 64

Book Publication Year: 1963

Book Publication Date: April 25, 1963

Book Binding: Paperback

Illustrator: Taj Ahmed

Book Series: A Three Crowns Book

Country/region of manufacture: Aylesbury and Slough, 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.