The Return, Walter de la Mare — Revised Limited Edition

£80.00

The Return, Walter de la Mare — Revised Limited Edition

Name: The Return, Walter de la Mare — Revised Limited Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4964
Price: 80.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, W. Collins Sons & Co. Ltd., 1922

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [vi], 309, [i].

Condition Report: Good. The original grey paper-covered boards and quarter canvas spine exhibit noticeable age-related toning, surface rubbing, and localised staining, most prominently a dark, somewhat circular blemish to the upper front board. The gilt-lettered leather spine label remains intact but displays minor loss to the top-left corner and typical rubbing to the gilt text. The binding retains its structural integrity and remains entirely firm, though the corners are gently bumped and mildly frayed. Internally, the uncut deckle edges are heavily dust-dulled and moderately foxed, with some spotting extending into the preliminary and terminal leaves. The front free endpaper bears a neat, contemporaneous ink gift inscription ('To Nadine, on her twenty-first. from Fay & Di. August 29th 1946.'), but the primary text-block remains largely bright, clean, and entirely legible, justifying a solid Good grading despite the external cosmetic wear.

Catalogue Note: This is the 1922 Revised Edition of Walter de la Mare’s celebrated supernatural novel, which was originally published in 1910. For this reissue, de la Mare significantly revised the text, subtly toning down the more overt supernatural elements in favour of a creeping psychological unease.

This particular volume is part of a strictly limited and highly sought-after run of just 250 copies, numbered and signed by the author upon the limitation page. This is copy number 103. Presented in the publisher's original quarter buckram and paper-covered boards with uncut fore and lower edges, it is a quintessential example of 1920s trade binding. Given the small limitation, intact and original examples of this signed edition have become notably scarce on the open market.

Considered one of Walter de la Mare’s finest works, The Return is a masterful and insidiously disturbing tale of psychological horror and psychic possession. The narrative follows Arthur Lawford, a mild-mannered man who falls asleep in a country churchyard only to awake bearing the face, and perhaps the lingering presence, of a long-dead, eighteenth-century French adventurer named Sabathier. As Lawford is rejected by his terrified family and struggles to reconstruct his fractured identity, the novel delves deeply into themes of speculative existentialism, alienation, and the fragile boundaries of the self.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Walter de la Mare

Book Publisher: W. Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Horror & Ghost Stories

Book edition:

Signed: Yes

Book Pages: 316

Book Publication Year: 1922

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

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.