The Twelve Chairs, Ilf & Petrov — 1st Edition

£1,000.00

The Twelve Chairs, Ilf & Petrov — 1st Edition

Name: The Twelve Chairs, Ilf & Petrov — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4617
Price: 1000.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Frederick Muller Limited, 1965

Formatting: Large Crown 8vo, pp. [xii], 322.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The binding remains remarkably tight and square, featuring the original brown cloth boards with sharp, unbumped corners and gleaming, unoxidised gilt lettering to the spine. There is scarcely any shelf-wear to speak of, save for the most imperceptible rubbing at the spine ends. Internally, the text-block is pristine and firmly rooted, with the pages presenting exceptionally bright and clean, free from any foxing or distracting blemishes; the top and fore-edges bear only the lightest trace of historical dusting consistent with its age. The original, unclipped pictorial dust-jacket (retaining the 25/- net price on the rear panel) is wonderfully preserved, displaying vibrant, unsunned panels. It exhibits only marginal rubbing along the extremities and a touch of surface dusting to the pale background, ultimately presenting as an excellent, highly collectible copy.

Catalogue Note: This is the scarce first UK edition of Ilf and Petrov's seminal satirical masterpiece, featuring the acclaimed translation by John Richardson and an introduction by Maurice Friedberg. Originally published in the Soviet Union in 1928, this translation brought the picaresque adventures of the charismatic con man Ostap Bender to a broader Anglophone audience.

The book is presented in its original brown cloth binding and retains its striking, unclipped dust-jacket. True first English printings of this title, particularly those complete with the original jacket, have become exceptionally elusive on the open market.

The fragility of the jacket's pale background means it is rarely found in such a bright, unrubbed state. Free from any intrusive previous ownership inscriptions, bookplates, or institutional stamps, this copy stands as a premium acquisition for collectors of translated Russian literature and twentieth-century satire.

Set against the backdrop of the newly formed Soviet Union in the 1920s, The Twelve Chairs is a breathless, wildly entertaining treasure hunt. When a dying matriarch confesses to hiding her family's priceless diamonds inside one of twelve identical dining chairs, it triggers a frantic, cross-country scramble. At the centre of the chaos is Ostap Bender, a fast-talking, immensely charming grifter, and his reluctant partner, the former nobleman Ippolit Matveyevich. Together, they navigate a labyrinth of bizarre bureaucrats, eccentric opportunists, and the absurdities of early Soviet life. A brilliant and enduring masterpiece of literature, the novel blends biting social satire with pure slapstick comedy.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Ilf & Petrov

Book Publisher: Frederick Muller Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Humour Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 322

Book Publication Year: 1965

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

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.