The Rector, Anthony Storey — 1st Edition

£15.00

The Rector, Anthony Storey — 1st Edition

Name: The Rector, Anthony Storey — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6398
Price: 15.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Calder & Boyars, 1970

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 176.

Condition Report: Near Fine. This copy presents exceptionally well, boasting a tight, square binding that feels unread. The black cloth boards are pristine, retaining sharp corners and bright, unoxidised gilt lettering to the spine. The text block edges show only the faintest hint of age-toning and dustiness to the top edge, while the internal pages remain crisp, bright, and completely free of foxing, thumbing, or blemishes. The book is housed in a Near Fine, unclipped dust jacket, retaining the original '30s / £1.50' price, which exhibits wonderful colour preservation with no sunning, tearing, or noticeable shelf-wear, save for the most microscopic rubbing to the extreme extremities.

Catalogue Note: This is a first edition, first impression of Anthony Storey's The Rector, issued in the primary black cloth binding. Published by Calder & Boyars in 1970, this copy remains in a remarkably preserved, unclipped dust jacket featuring the striking design by Wendy Coates-Smith.

As the first instalment of Storey's 'Messiah' trilogy, the novel tackles complex theological themes through a starkly modern lens and was notably shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

While standard reading copies of this title do appear on the secondary market, securing a true first printing in such sharp, collector-grade condition, completely free of typical library stamps, price-clipping, or heavy shelf-wear, is becoming increasingly uncommon.

Mary, the daughter of a well-known Yorkshire novelist, is engaged to Christopher, the local Rector. Their lives are abruptly upended when Mary makes the unprecedented announcement that she has miraculously conceived of God. To her father, a self-liberated Bohemian, her immaculate conception is entirely credible, but for Christopher, the literal realisation of the 'miracles' he preaches proves impossible to digest. As his deeply crystallised belief system shatters, he descends into a state of unresolved schizophrenia in this powerful, controversial exploration of Christian mythology and twentieth-century value systems.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Anthony Storey

Book Publisher: Calder & Boyars

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 176

Book Publication Year: 1970

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Messiah Trilogy

Country/region of manufacture: Gateshead, 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.