DEVON - The Penguin Guides (First edition - first printing - PBO)

Penguin Cat. No. G4 ***A first printing of the first edition - published as a paperback original in the Penguin Guides series. The Penguin Guides began in March 1939 with the first Guide, G1 Kent, Sussex and Surrey. The first six volumes were all produced at the same time. In September 1939 war was declared, and the production of maps for public sale was suspended. Maps could be used by the enemy! Each volume contained eight pages of colour printed 'Touring Maps' and some also contained sketch maps of towns. After the war, production was resumed and another seven volumes published until March 1950. There was then a gap of some five years before the 'New Series' was published with G14 Kent. Unlike its predecessors, it did not contain maps. ***A near fine copy in orange printed card covers. The covers are pristine, with none of the usual marks and creasing commensurate with age and handling. The edges of the covers are sharp and hardly rubbed at all. The orange colouring remains bright including on the spine, as the covers have been protected by the original dustwrapper over the last 85 years! Binding square. Page block edges clean. No reading creases to the spine. No creases or tears. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions. Pages clean although the paper is lightly tanned. ***In a very good original dustwrapper, priced at 6d on the front panel. The dustwrapper is largely complete, with just some loss at the top edge of the front panel and top of the spine. Apart from some edge wear and small nicks to the top edges, the dustwrapper is very well preserved. No large creases or tears. No fading to the bright orange colour and no fading or browning to the spine. ***154 pages plus six pages of publisher's adverts at the back of the book. 182mm x 112mm. ***Contents: Foreword, A Short Survey, On the Way to Devon, Devon in a Week, I. East Devon, II. South Devon, from the East, III. South Devon, from the South and West, IV. Dartmoor, V. North Devon, Maps, street plans of Exeter, Plymouth, Torquay. ***A first printing of the first edition of this book - published in 1939 as a paperback original. These pre-war paperbacks were very fragile productions, and very few have survived in this near fine condition, especially retaining the original dustwrapper. A Penguin collector's copy. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.…