The Valley of the Moon, Jack London

Name: The Valley of the Moon, Jack London
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6372
Price: 24.95 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£24.95

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Publication: London, Mills & Boon, Limited, 1914

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 530.

Condition Report: Good. The binding remains structurally tight and sound, though the original blue cloth boards exhibit noticeable shelf-wear, most prominently a distinct circular cup ring mark to the front board. The spine is slightly age-darkened with rubbing and minor compression at the head and tail, while the board corners show moderate bumping. Internally, the text block is relatively clean but features uniform age-toning throughout, alongside light scattered foxing primarily confined to the page edges and preliminary leaves. Standard previous ownership inscriptions in ink are present on the front free endpaper.

Catalogue Note: Although the title page and its verso bear the 1914 publication date, the integral publisher's advertisements facing the title page list later Jack London works (such as The Little Lady of the Big House, which was not published until 1916). This definitively identifies the book as an early reprint rather than a true first British edition.

Bound in the publisher's standard blue cloth with blind-stamped borders, this volume serves as a solid, early reading copy. The book features a mid-twentieth-century ownership inscription ('Blanca 1947') and a small, later 'Ex Libris' stamp.

While true 1914 first editions in fine condition are relatively scarce and command a premium, these early Mills & Boon reprints are considerably more accessible on the open market.

First published in 1913 in the United States and shortly after in the UK, The Valley of the Moon is Jack London’s sweeping, semi-autobiographical novel exploring agrarian idealism, class struggle, and the quest for a better life. The narrative follows Billy and Saxon Roberts, a working-class couple from Oakland, California, who flee the poverty, strikes, and industrial strife of the city to embark on a journey across the state. Seeking their own "Valley of the Moon," a utopian farming haven in Sonoma County, they strive to reconnect with the land and escape the crushing machinery of urban capitalism. A departure from his rugged Yukon tales, this work remains a passionate testament to London's socialist roots and his profound love for the Californian landscape.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Jack London

Book Publisher: Mills & Boon, Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Classic Fiction

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 530

Book Publication Year: 1914

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.