The London Venture, Michael Arlen — 1st Edition

£60.00

The London Venture, Michael Arlen — 1st Edition

Name: The London Venture, Michael Arlen — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5815
Price: 60.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, William Heinemann, 1920.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [xii], 177, [3].

Condition Report: Very Good. The book maintains its structural integrity with a firm binding and no major flaws such as loose joints or tears to the pages. It does, however, show signs of historical use and storage; the original black paper-covered boards exhibit moderate bumping and rubbing to the extremities, particularly at the corners where the underlying board is exposed, alongside mild wear to the spine ends. The text block edges show noticeable age-toning and dust-darkening, most prominently to the top edge. Internally, the pages remain largely clean and tidy, with only faint, occasional tanning.

Catalogue Note: First edition, first issue, bound in the publisher's original black boards featuring white lettering and a mounted monochrome cover illustration.

This volume marks the literary debut of Michael Arlen, presenting a series of semi-autobiographical essays. The text is enhanced by striking, stylised drawings by Michel Sevier throughout.

While premium, jacketed copies occasionally command high prices on the open market, standard first editions in the original bindings remain decidedly uncommon.

The London Venture is an engaging blend of memoir, social commentary, and romance that offers a perceptive and witty glimpse into the lives of the early twentieth century's Bright Young Things. Written just before Arlen achieved widespread fame with The Green Hat, the narrative follows a young outsider navigating the aristocratic drawing rooms, shifting class dynamics, and lingering melancholies of post-war London. Elegantly written and keenly observed, it stands as a captivating portrait of a society in transition.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Michael Arlen

Book Publisher: William Heinemann

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 177

Book Publication Year: 1920

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Michel Sevier

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.