The Prisoner of Zenda, Anthony Hope — 1st Edition

£55.00

The Prisoner of Zenda, Anthony Hope — 1st Edition

Name: The Prisoner of Zenda, Anthony Hope — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5659
Price: 55.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: Bristol, J. W. Arrowsmith / London, Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Company Limited, 1894.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [iv], 310.

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original maroon cloth binding remains tight and firm, with a slight, customary lean often seen in volumes of this age. The gilt lettering on the front board remains notably bright, while the spine exhibits the expected fading and sunning, rendering the cloth a lighter hue and the gilt somewhat muted. There is minor bumping and rubbing to the spine ends and corners, alongside a few faint, superficial marks to the rear board, but no significant wear or structural compromise. Internally, the text block is pleasingly clean and flat. The pages show moderate, uniform age-toning, particularly along the text block edges, with occasional, very light instances of age-related spotting confined largely to the preliminary leaves, preserving a highly legible and tidy interior.

Catalogue Note: This is a first edition, likely an early subsequent state or issue (often identified as the second or third), characteristic of the initial 1894 production run. It features the requisite catalogue numbering of "Vol. XVIII" within "Arrowsmith's 3/6 Series" to the half-title page. The spine features a crossed 'f' in "of", a traditional bibliographical point distinguishing it from the exceedingly scarce true first issue.

The volume is unillustrated, bound in the publisher's standard maroon cloth, and bears no visible provenance, bookplates, or previous ownership signatures to the photographed preliminary leaves.

While the true first issue remains scarce on the open market, this early state is an accessible and highly desirable example of a landmark Victorian adventure novel.

An enduring classic of late-Victorian adventure fiction, The Prisoner of Zenda single-handedly birthed the 'Ruritanian romance' genre. When the King of Ruritania is drugged on the eve of his coronation by his treacherous half-brother, his distant English cousin, a man bearing a striking resemblance to the monarch, is persuaded to act as a political decoy. Rudolf Rassendyll must navigate a perilous web of court intrigue, daring rescues, and a star-crossed romance with the beautiful Princess Flavia to save the kingdom. Fast-paced and swashbuckling, Anthony Hope's masterpiece remains a thrilling tale of mistaken identity, honour, and derring-do.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Anthony Hope

Book Publisher: J. W. Arrowsmith / Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Company Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Adventure

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 310

Book Publication Year: 1894

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Arrowsmith's 3/6 Series

Country/region of manufacture: Bristol, 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.