Very scarce aș a signed title
Sackville-West, Vita & Birrell, Francis (Series Ed.) ~ Aphra Behn : The Incomparable Astrea : Signed By The Author And The Author’s Mother
Gerald Howe, London : 1927
The First UK printing published by Gerald Howe, London in 1927. The BOOK is in near Fine condition with just a little pushing at the spine tips and a hint of rubbing to the lower corners. Some very light rippling to the upper edge of the front board. Gilt tiling remains bright. Internally clean. The J. Gower Parks frontis drawing of Mrs Aphra Behn is present. A neat Ex -Libris bookplate of Louise Seaman Bechtel) is present to the front pastedown. Bechtel was a noted American author, editor and critic. The WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good++ or better condition with just a small closed tear and a minor area of superficial scuffing to the front upper inner quadrant. Some toning to the spine. The wrapper remains very striking in the removable Brodart archival cover. The book has been signed (without dedication) by Vita Sackville-West to the title page. The book has been additionally signed in the year of publication by the author’s mother, Lady Victoria Sackville-West to the front blank end-paper: ’To Auriol, from the author’s mother, Victoria Sackville, Christmas 1927’. I am not clear as to the identity of Auriol. Part of the 'Representative Women' series edited by Francis Birrell: 'The series will give in biographical form a picture of female accomplishment throughout the ages.' 'Aphra Behn was an English playwright, poet, prose writer and translator from the Restoration era. As one of the first English women to earn her living by her writing, she broke cultural barriers and served as a literary role model for later generations of women authors' (Wiki). A sharp copy of a title rarely found with the wrapper. Collectible.
BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine
JACKET: Very Good++
£1250