Tumbledown Dick, Howard Spring — 1st Edition

£30.00

Tumbledown Dick, Howard Spring — 1st Edition

Name: Tumbledown Dick, Howard Spring — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6929
Price: 30.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Faber and Faber Ltd, 1939

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 294.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original yellow cloth binding remains firm and structurally sound, though the spine exhibits the typical sun-fading and mild darkening expected of a jacketless copy of this vintage. The extremities show minor rubbing and faint bumping to the corners, alongside occasional, light handling marks across the boards. Internally, the text block sits relatively square with only a negligible forward lean, and the pages remain clean and bright with hinges holding tight.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first printing of Howard Spring’s celebrated novel, complete with Steven Spurrier's charming illustrations. Issued in August 1939 on the very eve of the Second World War, copies surviving in presentable condition are increasingly uncommon, as wartime paper drives and general childhood wear heavily attrited the original print run.

The front free endpaper bears a neat, contemporary ink ownership inscription ("Dion Macmillan / J. P. J. Russell Brown / 1st Nov. 1939"), placing the book in the hands of its first owner merely months after publication, alongside an ink note regarding Spurrier's illustrations.

When his mother falls ill, young Dick is thrust into the bustling, vibrant world of the Manchester Market under the care of his father and a host of eccentric uncles. In this evocative coming-of-age tale, Howard Spring weaves a poignant, Dickensian saga set against the industrial grit of early 20th-century England, capturing the warmth, resilience, and colourful characters of working-class life.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Howard Spring

Book Publisher: Faber and Faber Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Children's Fiction & True Stories

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 294

Book Publication Year: 1939

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Steven Spurrier

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Plymouth, 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.