THE EMPEROR CONSTANTINE: A CHRONICLE IN THREE ACTS, A PROLOGUE AND AN EPILOGUE [1/1]

Dorothy L. Sayers

Published by Victor Gollancz, London, 1951

About this Item

First impression of the true first edition, with a four-page preface by Dorothy L. Sayers. ***Very good in black cloth-covered boards with pale blue titles to the spine. Edges of boards slightly rubbed. Pages browned (printed on thin economy war standard paper). A few lower page corners creased. Spine tight. Tiny contemporaneous price: '3/6' in blue biro pen ink to top of front free pastedown. ***In a very good cream and brown and black printed dustwrapper that has not been price-clipped, showing original price of 8s 6d net, neatly crossed out in blue biro pen. Edges of dustwrapper slightly rubbed and creased. Tiny loss and rubbing to corners of dustwrapper. Tiny closed tear to top edge of rear panel of dustwrapper. Very small 6mm closed tear to bottom edge of rear panel of dustwrapper. Head of spine slightly creased and rubbed with tiny tears. Spine of dustwrapper slightly discoloured. Front and Preface by the author to the fore, plus 191 pages including Bibliography to the rear. ***'This play has been written from the Colchester Festival of July 1951, and is the fourth of Miss Sayers' festival plays. The others are "The Zeal of Thy House" produced at Canterbury in 1937, "The Devil to Pay" produced also at Canterbury in 1939, and "The Just Vengeance" produced at Lichfield in 1946. The two former also had London productions. All three have been very successful in published form: "The Zeal of Thy House" has run into 17 impressions, "The Devil to Pay" into 3 impressions and "The Just Vengeance" into 4 impressions. ***This is not a "religious" play in the sense of being "sacred" or "devotional." It is a chronicle-history, but with, of course, a specifically Christian background and atmosphere. The theme is a magnificent one. The play covers an immense canvas - the whole Roman Empire and thirty years of time: and it has, over and above its world interest, a special British interest. There can be no more dramatic story than that of Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor (though he was actually baptised only when stricken with mortal sickness) and the man who united Church and State. There is great richness of incident and a wealth of moving episodes.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper). ***First impression of the true first edition - hard to find complete in its original fragile post-war dustwrapper. ***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. Seller Inventory # 3785x

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE EMPEROR CONSTANTINE: A CHRONICLE IN ...

Publisher: Victor Gollancz, London

Publication Date: 1951

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good

Edition: First Edition