Three Lands on Three Wheels, Jan & Cora Gordon

£100.00

Three Lands on Three Wheels, Jan & Cora Gordon

Name: Three Lands on Three Wheels, Jan & Cora Gordon
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6213
Price: 100.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., 1934

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 358.

Condition Report: Very Good. The book itself presents beautifully in its original green cloth, remaining tight, square, and structurally sound, with only faint rubbing to the spine ends. The top edge retains its original green stain, while the fore-edge and bottom edge exhibit some moderate foxing. Internally, the pages are largely bright and clean, with scattered foxing primarily confined to the preliminary leaves and text block edges. The highly scarce original dust jacket is unclipped ("5/- net") and features the striking printed 'Red Riband Library' overlay design; it shows typical shelf-wear, including rubbing along the joints, a few small closed tears, and minor chipping to the spine extremities and corners, but remains an highly attractive, unsunned example of a fragile pre-war jacket.

Catalogue Note: This is the February 1934 'Red Riband Library' reprint of the Gordons' travelogue, initially published in June 1932. This edition is notable for retaining its scarce original dust jacket, which prominently features the printed price-reduction banner across the front panel and spine.

The volume includes the authors' illustrated map endpapers detailing their route across Europe, alongside numerous in-text line drawings and a charming coloured frontispiece painting by Cora Gordon.

Travel narratives from this era retaining intact jackets are increasingly uncommon on the open market.

Three Lands on Three Wheels recounts the engaging and often unpredictable journey of celebrated vagabond travellers Jan and Cora Gordon as they cross France, England, and Ireland via a motorcycle and sidecar. Eschewing traditional tourist routes, the Gordons offer a witty, boots-on-the-ground perspective of 1930s rural Europe, capturing the eccentricities of local characters and the charm of changing landscapes. Brimming with their signature observational humour and artistic flair, this travelogue is a captivating snapshot of an era when motor-touring was still a rugged adventure.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Jan & Cora Gordon

Book Publisher: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Travel, Exploration & Adventure

Book edition: Special Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 358

Book Publication Year: 1934

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Jan & Cora Gordon

Book Series: Harrap's Red Riband Library

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.