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First impression of the first edition, published during the height of the Second World War in 1943. This was Durrell's first published poetry collection with a major publisher - preceded only by three small-publisher pamphlets in the 1930s. There wasn't an equivalent American edition of this collection. ***Near fine in grey cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. Head and tail of spine and corner tips slightly creased. Boards clean and unmarked. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions or annotations. Pages clean with no foxing. No creases or tears. With wartime paper shortages in full force, Faber still managed to hold onto good quality paper stocks - this book is an excellent example, being printed on very thick quality handmade-style paper with untrimmed edges at the fore-edge and bottom edge. ***In a very good red printed dustwrapper, which has not been price clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of 6s net. The dustwrapper is virtually complete, with just slight loss at the top of the spine. There are some light marks and creasing at the extremities, with some browning, commensurate with age and handling. The spine is browned but the red titles are unfaded (please see scans). Head and tail of spine slightly creased. No serious creases, chips or tears. The dustwrapper also shows signs of wartime publishing, having very narrow foldover flaps to minimize paper usage. ***80 pages. 230mm x 130mm. ***Contains 29 poems. ***'Lawrence George Durrell CBE (27 Feb 1912 - 7 Nov 1990) was an expatriate British novelist, poet, dramatist, and travel writer. He was the eldest brother of naturalist and writer Gerald Durrell. Born in India to British colonial parents, he was sent to England at the age of 11 for his education. He did not like formal education, but started writing poetry at the age of 15. His first book was published in 1935, when he was 23 years old. In March 1935 he and his mother and younger siblings moved to the island of Corfu. Durrell spent many years thereafter living around the world. His most famous work is The Alexandria Quartet, published between 1957 and 1960. The best-known novel in the series is the first, "Justine". Beginning in 1974, Durrell published The Avignon Quintet, using many of the same techniques. The first of these novels, "Monsieur, or the Prince of Darkness", won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1974. The middle novel, "Constance, or Solitary Practices", was nominated for the 1982 Booker Prize. In the 20th century, Durrell was a bestselling author and one of the most celebrated writers in England. Durrell supported his writing by working for many years in the Foreign Service of the British government. His sojourns in various places during and after World War II (such as his time in Alexandria, Egypt) inspired much of his work. He married four times, and had a daughter with each of his first two wives.' (Wiki) ***'Several years before the war, Lawrence Durrell published in Paris "The Black Book", a prose work which earned him the admiration of the smaller public alert to the appearance of original talent. He is also known as the author of poems of unusual quality in various periodicals and anthologies. This is the first collection of his verse, including poems written during the later thirties and others written quite recently. We are confident that this volume will render him conspicuous among his contemporaries.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper). ***First impression of the first edition, published under wartime restrictions, in very nice collectable condition. Durrell's first published work with Faber & Faber. Uncommon in this condition now. ***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.
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