{"product_id":"you-were-there-caryl-brahms-s-j-simon-1st-edition","title":"You Were There, Caryl Brahms \u0026 S. J. Simon — 1st Edition","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"57\"\u003ePublication\u003c\/b\u003e: London, Michael Joseph, 1950\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"99\"\u003eFormatting\u003c\/b\u003e: 8vo, pp. 304.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"125\"\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/b\u003e: Very Good. The pale green cloth binding remains secure, tight, and wonderfully clean, showing only the slightest shelf-wear and minor softening to the spine extremities. Internally, the text block is sound; the mid-century wove paper exhibits uniform, age-appropriate toning alongside occasional light spotting and foxing, which is largely confined to the preliminary leaves and text block edges. A neat, contemporary ink gift inscription ('To my dear Wife, to remind her of a happy weekend. S.') is present on the half-title page. The striking original photomontage dust jacket is remarkably well-preserved and unclipped (retaining the 10s. 6d. net flap price); it remains vibrant with only faint edge-creasing, mild rubbing, and slight darkening to the spine panel, justifying a strong grade for a vintage mid-century jacket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"983\"\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/b\u003e: This is a true first edition, first printing of Caryl Brahms and S. J. Simon's final collaborative novel, published posthumously following Simon’s unexpected death in 1948. Brahms completed the manuscript alone, presenting a satirical, nostalgic chronicle of British life spanning from the death of Queen Victoria to 1928.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eThe volume retains its original and highly evocative photomontage dust jacket, encapsulating the chaotic, theatrical spirit of the early twentieth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eFinding mid-century comic novels with their fragile original dust jackets in such complete, unchipped condition is increasingly scarce on the open market, making this a particularly appealing acquisition for collectors of period humour and theatrical fiction. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eA vivid, laugh-out-loud romp through the first three decades of the twentieth century, \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"2\" data-index-in-node=\"510\"\u003eYou Were There\u003c\/i\u003e is less a conventional novel than a chaotic, fictionalised newsreel. Chronicling the fortunes of the old General Gamble and his four oddly conceived children, Brahms and Simon deliver their trademark irreverence and wit, affectionately lampooning the theatrical milestones, cultural shifts, and societal eccentricities that defined the era. Whether you were there acting your own busy part, or simply wish you had been, this hilarious cavalcade is a delightful testament to one of British comedy's most successful literary partnerships.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55349389525331,"sku":"6115","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20261012_104044.jpg?v=1791896628","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/you-were-there-caryl-brahms-s-j-simon-1st-edition","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}