The Trojan Horse & At the Edge of the Forest, Raymond Queneau

£82.30

The Trojan Horse & At the Edge of the Forest, Raymond Queneau

Name: The Trojan Horse & At the Edge of the Forest, Raymond Queneau
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6582
Price: 82.30 GBP
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The Trojan Horse & At the Edge of the Forest, Raymond Queneau — 1st Edition

Publication: London, Gaberbocchus Press Ltd., 1954

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 34.

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original stiff black wrappers remain structurally sound, with the distinctive front-cover die-cut window cleanly preserved. The extremities exhibit some light edge-wear, minor rubbing to the black paper, and gently bumped corners commensurate with the pamphlet's age and delicate format. The vibrant red spine blocking remains bright, displaying only slight surface rubbing. Internally, the binding remains tight and secure. The pages are clean, bright, and completely free from foxing or handling marks, showing only a hint of the gentle age-toning expected of mid-century paper stock. A highly presentable, well-preserved copy of an inherently fragile production.

Catalogue Note: First edition, first printing. Issued as Number 2 in the short-lived Gaberbocchus Black Series, this volume pairs 'The Trojan Horse' (Le Cheval Troyen) with 'At the Edge of the Forest' (A la Limite de la Forêt). The publication features an innovative wrapper design incorporating a die-cut aperture that reveals a photographic portrait of the author on the preliminary leaf.

Translated by Barbara Wright, this edition is further distinguished by the line drawings of Franciszka Themerson, co-founder of the Gaberbocchus Press. The press was celebrated for its avant-garde typography, idiosyncratic bindings, and steadfast commitment to bringing European modernist literature to a British audience.

Due to the fragile nature of these small, paper-bound Black Series editions, surviving copies in such collectable condition have become notably scarce on the open market, making this an excellent addition to any collection of mid-century experimental publishing.

An intriguing double-feature of Raymond Queneau’s signature surrealism and linguistic playfulness, this volume brings together two of his early short works. The Trojan Horse and At the Edge of the Forest present a world where the boundaries of reality and the absurd seamlessly blur, capturing Queneau's distinctively whimsical yet philosophical voice. Rendered into English by the acclaimed translator Barbara Wright and elegantly complemented by Franciszka Themerson's illustrations, these stories serve as a prime example of the inventive, avant-garde spirit championed by the Gaberbocchus Press.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Raymond Queneau

Book Publisher: Gaberbocchus Press Ltd.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 34

Book Publication Year: 1954

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Softcover

Illustrator: Franciszka Themerson

Book Series: Gaberbocchus Black Series

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.