One of only 175 copies

Holtby, Winifred ~ South Riding : The Special Deluxe Edition With The Original Glassine And Publisher’s Numbered Box : With A Signed Letter From Vera Brittain Referring To The Recent Death Of Winifred Holtby

Collins, London : 1936

The First UK printing published by Collins, London in 1936. The BOOK is in near Fine condition with just a little light spotting to the prelims. One of only 175 special deluxe copies in quarter vellum with cloth sides and gilt decoration. A leather and gilt label to the spine with top edge gilt. This special edition has a striking B/W frontis photograph of the author and a 3 page introduction by Vera Brittain : 'Ave Atque Vale - An Epitaph', both of which do not appear in the standard trade edition. Publisher's hand written limitation on the half-title page: 'This edition of 175 copies has been printed for the author's friends with a personal introduction by Vera Brittain. This is number '32''. Accompanied by the scarce original glassine WRAPPER which is complete and the original publisher's card box with its printed label indicating the limitation and book number '32'. The box is complete and rubbed at the edges. There is a pencilled date of 'April 1936' on the label, which may well have been the publication date. Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby had lived together in London after graduation and remained very close friends throughout Holtby's lifetime. Holtby sadly died on 29th September 1935 and 'South Riding', her masterpiece was published posthumously early the following year. It went on to win the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and has never been out of print since. Loosely inserted is a typed letter signed by Vera Brittain. The letter has been sent from Brittain's London address which she had shared with Winifred Holtby and is dated 4th October 1935 (5 days after Holtby's death). The letter is addressed to Mrs Duckett and refers to Holtby's death : 'Thank you so much for your kind letter of sympathy about Winifred Holtby's death. It is a staggering blow from which it will be very difficult to recover. The only hope of doing so will lie in continuing with still greater intensity the work to which she set her hand. .... Forgive this typed note but I am sure you will understand how many kind letters have come to me during the last few days, yours sincerely'. Vera Brittain has signed the letter in black ink. The letter is in near Fine condition and measures 18cm x 11cm. It has been folded twice. The letter is protected in a removable archival folder. An extremely scarce edition with such attributes, and highly collectible more-so with the addition of Brittain's very personal letter. Collectible.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine
JACKET: Near Fine