The Picnic and Other Stories, Walter de la Mare — 1st Edition

£24.95

The Picnic and Other Stories, Walter de la Mare — 1st Edition

Name: The Picnic and Other Stories, Walter de la Mare — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4022
Price: 24.95 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£24.95

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Publication: London, Faber and Faber Ltd, 1941

Formatting: Cr 8vo, pp. 158.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The original grey cloth binding is remarkably well-preserved, remaining square and tight with sharp corners and unbumped spine ends, while the turquoise tooling to the front board and spine remains notably bright and unoxidised. The text block is firm, with internally clean and bright pages that show only the faintest hints of marginal age-toning typical of wartime paper stock. The accompanying dust-wrapper is entirely intact and unclipped (retaining the 3/6 net price on the front flap), though it exhibits some mild shelf-wear, slight rubbing to the extremities, and a degree of uniform toning and gentle dusting across the panels and spine. Despite these minor external signs of age, the book presents exceptionally well as a sound, highly attractive example.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition, first impression, published in September 1941 by Faber and Faber Ltd as part of their acclaimed 'Sesame Books' series. Issued during the constraints of the Second World War, the volume retains its original dust-wrapper, complete with the series' advertisements for both prose and poetry titles on the rear panel.

Wartime publications from this era often suffer from the use of economy paper and fragile bindings, making surviving copies in such sound condition particularly desirable. While de la Mare's works were widely read, encountering this specific wartime first edition with its fragile dust-wrapper intact, and without severe fading or loss, is uncommon on the open market.

A captivating collection by the master of the subtle and the uncanny, The Picnic and Other Stories gathers several of Walter de la Mare's most evocative tales. With his characteristic blend of quiet melancholy, psychological depth, and lingering mystery, de la Mare explores the delicate boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary. From the poignant tragedy of unrequited hope in the titular story to other profound explorations of human solitude and memory, this collection showcases the author's exquisite prose and his unique ability to illuminate the shadows of the human experience.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Walter de la Mare

Book Publisher: Faber and Faber Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Anthologies & Short Stories

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 158

Book Publication Year: 1941

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Cloth

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Sesame Books

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.