They Hanged My Saintly Billy, Robert Graves — 1st Edition

£39.30

They Hanged My Saintly Billy, Robert Graves — 1st Edition

Name: They Hanged My Saintly Billy, Robert Graves — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6834
Price: 39.30 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Cassell & Company Ltd, 1957

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xi, 269.

Condition Report: Very Good. The black cloth boards are remarkably sharp with unbumped corners, and the binding remains tight and square, showing no signs of shelf-lean. Internally, the pages are clean with only a hint of the expected age-toning to the text block edges, particularly along the top edge, remaining entirely free of foxing or significant wear. The original dust jacket is equally well-preserved, featuring a vibrant front-panel illustration and clear lettering; it displays only minor rubbing at the spine ends and corners alongside light toning to the rear panel, presenting beautifully as a complete, highly collectible example.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition, first printing of Robert Graves’s historical novel. The volume contains twenty-three text illustrations that complement Graves’s meticulous reconstruction of the events surrounding the infamous Palmer poisoning case.

Locating a first printing in such a bright, well-preserved dust jacket without significant chipping, fading, or loss is increasingly uncommon, making this a highly desirable copy for collectors of Graves's prose.

In They Hanged My Saintly Billy, acclaimed author Robert Graves turns his formidable historical imagination to one of the most notorious true-crime scandals of Victorian England. Through a captivating, multi-perspective narrative, Graves reconstructs the life and controversial trial of Dr William Palmer, a surgeon, racehorse owner, and accused poisoner who was executed in 1856. Defying the public consensus of the time, Graves presents a compelling, thoroughly researched defence of Palmer, questioning the integrity of the British justice system and offering a rich, atmospheric portrait of a man who may have been wrongfully condemned by a prejudiced society.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Robert Graves

Book Publisher: Cassell & Company Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 269

Book Publication Year: 1957

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Bristol, 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.