The Sorrows of Priapus, Edward Dahlberg — 1st Edition

£20.00

The Sorrows of Priapus, Edward Dahlberg — 1st Edition

Name: The Sorrows of Priapus, Edward Dahlberg — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6064
Price: 20.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Calder & Boyars Ltd, 1970

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [vii], 119.

Condition Report: Near Fine. This copy is exceptionally well-preserved, boasting tight, uncracked hinges and a firm, square binding. The original black cloth boards remain immaculate, completely free from the shelf-wear, corner-bumping, or fading so frequently encountered in volumes of this vintage. The gilt typography along the spine remains strikingly bright and unoxidised. Internally, the text block is pristine and securely seated, with only the faintest whisper of uniform age-toning to the page margins, which is entirely consistent with the paper stock of the period. Crucially, the original, unclipped dust jacket (retaining the 35s / £1.75 flap price) is in equally Near Fine condition; it exhibits no sunning to the vibrant purple panels, no chipping, and is now securely housed in a protective archival sleeve to ensure its continued preservation.

Catalogue Note: This is the First British Edition (and first UK printing) of Edward Dahlberg’s distinctive mythological exploration, initially published in the United States in 1957. This issue is particularly notable for integrating Ben Shahn’s exquisite line drawings, which elegantly complement Dahlberg’s idiosyncratic prose.

Copies of this edition are readily available on the open market, though encountering one in such sharp, structurally sound condition, complete with an unclipped and unfaded dust jacket, is a pleasure for the discerning collector.

The Sorrows of Priapus is a highly erudite, poetic fable that eschews natural history in favour of geographical and mythological exploration. Fusing the Hebraic and Hellenic traditions of the Western World with the mythos of pre-Columbian America, Edward Dahlberg crafts a unique, melancholy, and word-musical reflection on the mind and body. Accompanied by forty-two striking illustrations by the celebrated artist Ben Shahn, this is, as Dahlberg notes, a legendary book of maxims and mirth intended "for brave readers and poets".

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Edward Dahlberg

Book Publisher: Calder & Boyars Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 119

Book Publication Year: 1970

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Ben Shahn

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.