The Old Wives' Tale, Arnold Bennett — Limited Edition

£149.50

The Old Wives' Tale, Arnold Bennett — Limited Edition

Name: The Old Wives' Tale, Arnold Bennett — Limited Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6155L
Price: 149.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: Oxford, The Limited Editions Club at the University Press, 1941

Formatting: 2 vols., 4to, pp. 729.

Condition Report: Very Good. The two volumes present handsomely, firmly bound in their original half green cloth over vibrant floral-patterned paper boards. The bindings remain remarkably tight and square, with sharp corners and brilliant gilt lettering to the spines. Externally, the boards are exceptionally well-preserved, showing no significant shelf wear, though the printed paper dust jackets show gentle toning and minor rubbing to the extremities. Internally, the volumes are in near-pristine order; the text blocks are immaculately clean, bright, and entirely free of foxing or extraneous markings. The untrimmed page edges display only the mildest signs of natural age-toning. The original matching slipcase is present but shows noticeable rubbing to the extremities and slight starting to the joints, yet remains structurally sound.

Catalogue Note: This is a striking fine-press production of Arnold Bennett's masterpiece, published for the members of the Limited Editions Club. The work was strictly limited to 1,500 numbered copies, with this specific example being number 60.

The set is heavily illustrated by the celebrated artist John Austen, featuring delightful line drawings and colour plates throughout. Notably, this copy bears Austen's original ink signature to the colophon at the rear of Volume II.

It was produced under the supervision of John Johnson, Printer to the University of Oxford, and features a perceptive introduction by Frank Swinnerton alongside a preface by the author.

Complete with its original floral-patterned slipcase and printed paper dust jackets, this edition perfectly captures the Edwardian aesthetic of Bennett's narrative.

While copies of this Limited Editions Club release do surface, finding a complete set with both dust wrappers and the slipcase in such a respectable state of preservation is an uncommon occurrence on the open market.

Widely regarded as Arnold Bennett’s masterpiece, The Old Wives' Tale is a sweeping, evocative saga that charts the diverging lives of two sisters, Constance and Sophia Baines, from their youth in the provincial pottery towns of Staffordshire to their contrasting fates in Paris and back again. First published in 1908, the novel meticulously traces the relentless passage of time, exploring themes of ambition, duty, and the inescapable bonds of family. Through Bennett's acute psychological insight and richly detailed realism, the book stands as a profound meditation on the resilience of the human spirit amidst the sweeping social changes of the nineteenth century.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Arnold Bennett

Book Publisher: The Limited Editions Club

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Classic Fiction

Book edition: Limited Edition

Signed: Yes

Book Pages: 729

Book Publication Year: 1941

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Half Cloth

Illustrator: John Austen

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Oxford, 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.