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A later printing of the first UK edition of "Là-bas", published by the Fortune Press around 1943 (dated from the Preface). Translated into English by Alfred Allinson (though not credited in the book). ***Very good in blue cloth-covered boards, with gilt titles to the spine. The boards are clean and unmarked, with some wrinkling to the cloth covering, and some light surface rubbing to the extremities commensurate with age and handling. Head and tail of spine slightly worn. No bumps. Corners sharp. Fore-edge and bottom edge of page block rough-cut, as is common with this publisher. Spine tight. Internally near fine with neat ownership name and date in pencil at the top of the front free endpaper. Pages clean with no foxing. No creases or tears. No dustwrapper. ***230mm x 148mm. 216 pages including a new Preface to the fore, four pages of Notes, and six pages of Notes on the Bibliography of J. K. Huysmans by a member of the Société J.K. Huysmans, and English translations of Huysmans at the back of the book. ***'"Là-bas", translated as Down There or The Damned, is a novel by the French writer Joris-Karl Huysmans, first published in 1891. "Là-Bas" deals with the subject of Satanism in contemporary France, and the novel was extremely controversial when first published. It is the first of Huysmans' books to feature the character Durtal, a barely disguised portrait of the author. (Wiki) ***This edition uses the French title and is expurgated. This may have been so as not to be prosecuted for obscenity of 1934. It has been printed on thin, war-standard economy paper. It has been published in a larger format than other later editions. The book includes an unattributed Preface, dated 1943, a section of Notes, and a Bibliography. The most recent date of Huysman's books listed in either the Bibliography or the Notes is 1935, so it is possible that this edition of "Là-bas" was already being prepared for production before the outbreak of the Second World War, but was delayed in publication until after the war had finished. The address on the title-page states: 'The Fortune Press, London, SW1', so it is also possible that it was produced during a period of transition between addresses that The Fortune Press was based at. Probably, "Là-bas" was printed after 1943 when the Fortune Press left its address in Buckingham Palace Road, and before 1946, when it moved to Belgrave Road.***A Fortune Press edition of Huysmans: "Là-bas" (Down There) in very good original condition. A fragile book, of interest to collectors of the translations of Huysmans' works into English, and titles produced by The Fortune Press. ***The Fortune Press was inextricably linked to this author, and published many of Huysmans' titles in translation. ***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 # 8841
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Bibliographic Details
Title: LA-BAS (Down There, or The Damned) - Wartime...
Publisher: The Fortune Press, London, S.W.1
Publication Date: 1943
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
Edition: First Edition
