THE EAGLE AND THE DOVE - A Study in Contrasts (First edition - second impression - in the scarce wartime dustwrapper)

A second impression of the first edition, published in December 1943 - just a month after the first impression. Illustrated with five photographic plates. Please note that the book appears to be unread as the gatherings remain uncut at the fore-edge! A comparative study of the lives of St. Teresa of Avila and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. ***Near fine in navy-blue cloth-covered boards with a decorative panel to the spine with titles in silver. The silver is still beautifully bright, having been protected by the dustwrapper. The boards are clean and unmarked, with just light creasing at the bottom of the spine. No bumps or creases to the edges of the boards. Corners sharp. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Page block edges clean with just the slightest of darkening to the top edge. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions. Pages clean with no foxing. As mentioned above, the gatherings are all uncut at the fore-edge so the contents are actually pristine. ***In a near fine original dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the publisher's printed price of 10/6 net. The dustwrapper is virtually complete, with just very small areas of loss at the head and tail of the spine. There are a couple of small closed tears to the edges of the front panel. There is some light fading to the blue colour on the spine of the dustwrapper. The back panel, which is white, is slightly marked with age, but there are no chips or long tears, and no significant creasing. Even the foldover flaps are largely uncreased - just slight creasing at the top edge of the back flap. Uncommon thus. ***210mm x 144mm. 182 pages. Illustrations: Avila, A Letter from St. Teresa, Toledo in a Storm, Les Buissonnets, Lisieux, St. Thérèse at the Convent of Lisieux. ***'St. Teresa of Avila and St. Thérèse of Lisieux were both Carmelites; both canonised; and shared the same name. However Vita Sackville-West explores their points of contrasts, characteristics that make both women interesting and unique: Teresa of Avila in an aristocratic and intellectual, a humorous Spaniard of the sixteenth century; Thérèse of Lisieux was a guileless and sentimental figure of the French bourgeoise.' ***'Miss Victoria Sackville-West's fascinating study of two saints--St. Teresa of Avila and St. Thérèse of Lisieux--is bracing to the spirit not only because of its subject but also through its reminder that such thought and study as must have been required for its writing may still go on in these days. Among so many books whose writers either merely report that violence, or have siezed upon it as an excuse for vulgarity or fatuity, "The Eagle and the Dove" comes like some undamaged flower or fruit among floating debris on a river in spate --- This study of human nature in phases unfamiliar to the average reader, rich in content and in suggestion, is one of the outstanding books of the year.' - Edith Shackleton - The Lady (Quote and review quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***A second impression of the first edition, complete with the original dustwrapper, in complete and presentable condition. A lovely copy of this interesting biographical work by Bloomsbury author Vita Sackville-West. As the book was published to War Economy Standards, copies in such nice collectable condition are now very few and far between. With "Britain Calls the World - from London comes the Voice of Britain - the Voice of Freedom" wartime advert on the back flap. ***Of interest to collectors of the work of Vita Sackville-West and the Bloomsbury Group. ***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.…