The Saracen's Head or The Reluctant Crusader, Osbert Lancaster

£30.00

The Saracen's Head or The Reluctant Crusader, Osbert Lancaster

Name: The Saracen's Head or The Reluctant Crusader, Osbert Lancaster
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6273
Price: 30.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£30.00

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

The Saracen's Head or The Reluctant Crusader, Osbert Lancaster — 1st Edition

Publication: London, John Murray, 1948

Formatting: Large 8vo, pp. 68.

Condition Report: Near Fine in a Very Good+ dust jacket. The bright yellow cloth binding is exceptionally clean and vibrant, remaining entirely free from the typical soiling or fading often found on this colour. The red lettering and Saracen's head vignette are sharp and unrubbed. The boards are remarkably crisp with perfectly sharp corners and no signs of edge wear or bumping. The spine is firm and tight, demonstrating excellent structural integrity. Internally, the pages are wonderfully bright and crisp, with no signs of foxing, reading wear, or handling marks. The book includes its original, vibrant dust jacket, which is complete and unclipped (retaining the original 8s. 6d. net price on the front flap), exhibiting only the mildest trace of edge-creasing along the flap folds, making it a highly desirable, well-preserved copy.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition. Osbert Lancaster not only authored but also illustrated this delightful work, bringing the narrative to life with his distinctive, witty line drawings and colour illustrations. The volume is wonderfully presented in its original, unclipped dust jacket, and the vibrant yellow cloth beneath remains exceptionally preserved.

While copies of this title are not inherently rare, finding a true first edition that has evaded the usual shelf-wear and retains such a bright, complete, and unclipped dust jacket is quite uncommon on the open market, making this an excellent addition to a collector’s library.

The volume also features the charming printed dedication "FOR CARA AND WILLIAM".

The Saracen's Head or The Reluctant Crusader is a brilliantly humorous tale by Osbert Lancaster that playfully subverts the traditional medieval romance. It follows the adventures of William of Littlehampton, an unlikely and rather reluctant hero who finds himself thrust into the chaotic and perilous world of the Crusades. With his characteristic wit, Lancaster blends sharp satire with a genuinely affectionate nod to chivalric lore, accompanying the narrative with his own wonderful illustrations. The result is an enduringly charming and visually delightful adventure that appeals to both younger readers and adults with a taste for clever, historical parody.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Osbert Lancaster

Book Publisher: John Murray

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 68

Book Publication Year: 1948

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Osbert Lancaster

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.