THE GARDENER WHO SAW GOD (First edition in the rare original dustwrapper)

A first impression of the true first edition, which precedes the American edition. With the striking surrealist jacket illustration by Paul Tchelitchew. ***Near fine in black cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The gilt remains beautifully bright. The boards are clean and unmarked. Head and tail of spine slightly creased. Corners sharp. The binding is straight with no reading lean. Page block edges clean. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions. Off-setting to a slim vertical section of the rear pastedown where a bookmark has been removed. Paper stock very slightly tanned. No creases or tears. ***In a very good illustrated dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of 7s. 6d. net. Edges of dustwrapper slightly rubbed, nicked and creased. Head and tail of spine slightly creased with minimal surface loss. Very small closed tears to the edges of the front panel. Very slight loss at the corner tips of the foldovers. No chips or tears. Spine of dustwrapper slightly browned. Back panel of dustwrapper slightly discoloured (being a cream background). Front panel of dustwrapper bright. ***380 pages. 192mm x 134mm. ***'I have read a novel this week which is one of the most out-of-the-way pieces of work I have come across for years - In a sense, The Gardener Who Saw God, a first novel by Mr. Edward James, is a work of genius.' (Richard Church in John O' London's Weekly) ***'Mr.James has written a notable book - a vase into which he has chosen to pour his subtle observations of men and women, his moving appreciation of the beauty of gardens, and of music, and of old houses, and an old lovely way of living, his contempt for those who let down the great traditions of decency and magnanimity, his belief in the fundamental rightness of certain gifted and intuitive souls. It is not a book to rush through; it is vintage enough to be savoured drop by drop. It is, also, beautifully written.' (Howard Spring in The Evening Standard) ***'The mystery is how Mr. James has managed to blend so delightfully such warring themes and such surprising extremes of mood and style.' (The Times) - Review quotes taken from the dustwrapper. ***An important modernist and surrealist writer and poet, Edward James was an early advocate and important collector of Surrealism, and supported artists such as Salvador Dali and Magritte. At Oxford University, John Betjeman's first book of poems was privately printed with Edward James' help, who was also a student. He was also a lover of trees and a collector of orchids. James is best known as a passionate supporter of Surrealism, a movement that evolved from Dada and the political uncertainty and upheaval of World War I and the following years. With a mix of Dada irreverence for the traditional political, religious, and bourgeois values of western civilization that they believed had led the world (and themselves as veterans of the war) to the First World War; the surrealist explored the possibilities that had been opened up by Sigmund Freud regarding the subconscious mind, and the idea of pure thought, unfiltered and uncensored by political, religious, moral, or rational principles. He sponsored Salvador Dalí for the whole of 1938 and his collection of paintings and art objects subsequently came to be accepted as one of the finest collection of surrealist work in private hands. He also provided practical help, supporting Dalí for about two years. (Wiki) ***A beautiful copy of this first edition, and an important work of literature, especially hard to find in its original, fragile 1930s dustwrapper. A book rarely found in any condition now. The dustwrapper is thin and prone to chipping. A 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.…