The Rotten Elements, Edward Upward — 1st Edition

£72.80

The Rotten Elements, Edward Upward — 1st Edition

Name: The Rotten Elements, Edward Upward — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6963
Price: 72.80 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£72.80

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Publication: London, William Heinemann Ltd, 1969.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [vi], 216.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The original black cloth binding remains tight and square, featuring sharp corners and bright gilt lettering to the spine, with only the faintest trace of shelf-wear to the extreme tail. Internally, the page block is exceptionally clean, crisp, and firmly bound, free from foxing, oxidation, or previous ownership inscriptions. The original red dust wrapper is highly attractive and unclipped, retaining the dual pre-decimal and decimal pricing (30s net / £1.50 net) to the front flap. It exhibits only minimal rubbing to the extremities and slight sunning to the spine, presenting as a highly collectible and well-preserved copy.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition, first printing of the second volume in Edward Upward's acclaimed The Spiral Ascent trilogy. The book retains its original, unclipped dust wrapper featuring a prominent commendation from Christopher Isherwood on the front panel.

Unsigned first printings in such well-preserved condition are becoming increasingly uncommon on the open market, particularly those that have avoided the typical fading and edge-wear common to this specific Heinemann jacket design.

The Rotten Elements continues the autobiographical journey of Alan Sebrill, a dedicated Marxist and poet. Set in the post-war years, the novel meticulously charts the ideological disillusionment and profound internal conflicts of Sebrill and his wife as they find themselves increasingly at odds with the rigid, dogmatic orthodoxies of the Communist Party. Upward crafts a vivid, intellectually rigorous portrait of political integrity, personal loyalty, and the painful process of breaking away from a movement that once defined their entire worldview.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Edward Upward

Book Publisher: William Heinemann Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 216

Book Publication Year: 1969

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: The Spiral Ascent

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.