Gilbert, W. S. & Sullivan, Arthur. The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan. Modern Library Giant G25. WWII War Prisoners Aid YMCA Copy

GILBERT, W. S. & Arthur Sullivan. The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan. New York: The Modern Library / Random House, n.d. Modern Library Giant G25. Later printing, probably c.1938–1944 on the evidence of the G4-style Giant binding; exact impression not confirmed. Red publisher's cloth with gilt running torchbearer to upper board and black-lettered panels to spine. Illustrated in black and white. Complete according to physical verification by the seller; binding is solid. An interesting provenance copy bearing the blue-green stamp “War Prisoners Aid / World's Committee / YMCA / Geneva, Switzerland” to the front pastedown/endpaper. The War Prisoners Aid programme supplied books and educational materials to prisoners of war during the Second World War. No individual prisoner or camp association has been established. Fair. Binding heavily rubbed, faded, soiled and stained, with marked fraying and wear to spine ends, corners and extremities. Spine panels and lettering rubbed but legible. Page edges markedly darkened and soiled. Endpapers stained and offset, with additional pink-red colour transfer and pencil marking. Text leaves toned with occasional spotting visible. No dust jacket.