
Dunn, Nell ~ Talking to Women : Signed by the Author in the Year of Publication
First UK Printing : MacGibbon & Kee, London : 1965
First UK Printing published by MacGibbon & Kee, London in 1965. 8vo., blue publisher’s boards, backstrip in gilt with publisher’s device to foot; unclipped photographic wrapper by Tina Tranter (21s net); numerous black and white photographs of the women throughout; The BOOK is in Very Good++ or better condition, mild pushing to spine ends and some marginal toning ; some light toning to the text-block. Free from inscriptions. The WRAPPER is in Very Good- condition with some creases, rubbing and toning along folds, with a little loss of colour; lower panel with some shelf darkening; minor nicks and chips to ends of folds and spine; more-so to head of spine, with a larger 2cm chip resulting in some loss of title lettering, and leading to a closed tear. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. Signed (without dedeication) by the author in the year of publication to the title page. One of Dunn’s most timeless works, in which she speaks to a series of nine women on the place of women in post-war society. Among the examples are the writers Ann Quin and Edna O’Brien (who describes the time she inadvertently stole a brown georgette scarf and the lesson she took from it: 'Morality is not the same thing as abstinence’), as well as everyday women, painters, actresses and working mothers. The work had a powerful impact upon publication, most so for its frank and open topics which included men, marriage, sexuality, children, emancipation, death and abortion (during a time in which it was still illegal). A highly relevant and relatable book even today, “there’s the sense of a literary feminist time-capsule”, columnist Barbara Ellen wrote of the 2018 reissue, “ capturing a key moment of generational societal shift.” Very scarce signed.
BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good++
JACKET: Very Good-
£295