The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression

The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression

£310.00
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The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
  • The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression
The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression

The Swish of the Curtain, Pamela Brown — 2nd Impression

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£310.00

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Publication: London, Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd, 1942

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 345.

Condition Report: Very Good. A handsome, tightly bound copy of this early wartime reprint, distinguished by its surprisingly bright blue cloth boards and gleaming gilt spine titling, which show only trivial bumping to the extremities. The text block remains square and firm, exhibiting the expected uniform toning to the page edges associated with wartime paper economy standards, though the interior is remarkably clean and free of spotting. The front free endpaper bears a neat, contemporary ink gift inscription dated August 1943, offering a pleasing element of wartime provenance without detracting from the book's clean presentation. The volume is housed in its scarce original, unclipped dust wrapper (priced 7/6 net); while the wrapper exhibits some minor edge wear, light chipping to the spine ends, and slight closed tears, it remains remarkably vibrant and is now fully protected in a removable archival sleeve.

Catalogue Note: This 1942 second impression is a highly elusive wartime survivor. Printed a year after the true first edition (which famously survived the Blitz bombing of Nelson's publishing offices), early dust-wrappered copies of Brown's inaugural novel are remarkably scarce on the open market.

Illustrated with a charming colour frontispiece and further line drawings by Newton Whittaker, the volume captures the essence of the Blue Door Theatre Company just as it first captured the imagination of wartime Britain.

The contemporary 1943 gift inscription, "Pamela Oliver / Aug 4th 1943 / from Daddy," adds a poignant layer of historical resonance, rooting this specific copy firmly in the era of its initial publication, exactly as the novel was gaining national traction as a BBC radio serial.

Written by Pamela Brown when she was just fourteen years old, The Swish of the Curtain is a timeless triumph of children's literature that has inspired generations of actors. It follows the spirited adventures of seven resourceful teenagers in the town of Fenchester who, stumbling upon a disused chapel, transform it into the Blue Door Theatre. United by their theatrical dreams, the young company writes, directs, and stars in their own productions, navigating the trials of adolescence, rivalries, and parental disapproval. A sparkling, semi-autobiographical celebration of youthful ambition and the magic of the stage, it remains an essential classic for anyone who has ever dreamt of the footlights.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Pamela Brown

Book Publisher: Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Children's Fiction & True Stories

Book edition: Second Impression

Signed: No

Book Pages: 345

Book Publication Year: 1942

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Newton Whittaker

Book Series: Blue Door

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.

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