The Traveller, Walter de la Mare — 1st Edition

£60.00

The Traveller, Walter de la Mare — 1st Edition

Name: The Traveller, Walter de la Mare — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4779
Price: 60.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Faber and Faber Limited, 1946

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 35, [1], + 4 colour lithograph plates.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The book is firmly bound in its original pale grey cloth, remaining notably square with sharp corners and virtually no shelf-wear to the extremities. The gilt lettering and maroon title block along the spine remain brilliantly unoxidised and sharply struck. Internally, the pages are exceptionally crisp and bright, remaining entirely free from the typical foxing or toning that often plagues mid-century paper stocks. The four colour lithographs by John Piper are remarkably vibrant and cleanly preserved. The original dust jacket, housed in a protective clear sleeve, is similarly well-preserved; it exhibits only the faintest trace of handling to the upper edge, with its original colours remaining bold and unfaded, presenting an unusually sharp example of a vulnerable mid-century wrapper.

Catalogue Note: First edition. A splendid example of Walter de la Mare's long philosophical poem, famously enhanced by the striking, atmospheric artwork of the renowned British artist John Piper. The volume contains four full-page colour lithographs drawn on the stone by Piper and expertly printed at the Baynard Press, vividly capturing the surreal, visionary landscape of de la Mare's verse.

Copies of this postwar collaboration retaining their original dust jackets in such crisp, well-preserved condition are increasingly uncommon on the open market.

First published in the aftermath of the Second World War, The Traveller is a profound and hallucinatory narrative poem by Walter de la Mare. It follows a solitary rider traversing a desolate, alien landscape, an allegorical journey exploring themes of human isolation, endurance, and the search for spiritual meaning in a ravaged world. De la Mare’s haunting, lyrical mastery is perfectly complemented by John Piper's richly textured, expressionistic colour lithographs, making this not merely a collection of verse, but a beautifully integrated work of mid-century British book art.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Walter de la Mare

Book Publisher: Faber and Faber Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 35

Book Publication Year: 1946

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: John Piper

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.