TESTAMENT OF YOUTH: An Autobiographical Study of the Years 1900-1925 (Scarce first impression in very good condition)

Vera Brittain

Published by Victor Gollancz, 14 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London, 1933

The scarce first impression of the true first edition, published in August 1933 - with no mention of any further impressions on the printer's page. The book was an immediate success, and went into six more impressions in 1933. All these impressions were printed on good quality paper, although this first impression uses slightly thicker paper than the later impressions and is consequently in a slightly thicker binding and slightly larger boards (we also have a third impression in the very scarce dustwrapper, and a sixth impression listed on ABE Books). ***Very good in red cloth-covered boards with black titles to the spine. The boards are quite clean and generally unmarked, except for a small patch of fading at the bottom of the front board near the spine. The spine is also slightly faded, as to be expected after 90 years, but far less than is usually found, and the titles are still very clear. The binding is square and tight, with no reading lean and no sign of any splitting to the fragile cloth, or to the hinges. There is some slight creasing to the fragile spine, and the cloth covering over the joints between the spine and the boards is rubbed. Corners sharp with just light rubbing to the cloth. Page block edges lightly foxed. Internally also very good, with a gift inscription on the front free endpaper in sepia ink, and a couple of other notes in ink on the front pastedown and free endpaper (please see scans). There are no annotations within the book. Unusually, there is none of the usual offsetting to the endpapers, and virtually no internal foxing. Pages clean. No dustwrapper. ***202mm x 135mm. 661 pages including author's acknowledgments and foreword dated May 1933 to the fore, plus 'The War Generation: Vale, VB. 1933' printed poem at the back of the book. ***Contents: Foreword, Part I. Ch I. Forward from Newcastle; II. Provincial Young-Ladyhood; III. Oxford versus War; IV. Learning versus Life; V. Camberwell versus Death. *** Part II. VI. "When the Vision Dies---"; VII. Tawny Island; VIII. Between the Sandhills and the Sea; IX. "This Loneliest Hour". *** Part III: X. Survivors Not Wanted; XI. Piping for Peace; XII. "Another Stranger". ***A rare first impression of the true first edition, in very good condition with very few faults. First and early impressions of "Testament of Youth" are very hard to find now, especially in undamaged condition. The bindings of these books are very fragile, and the bulk of the book tends towards the bindings splitting. Being the true first impression of this landmark biographical work, this copy would be of great interest to collectors of the work of Vera Brittain, and of those studying and collecting First World War primary sources. A scarce item. ***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 # 8727

Bibliographic Details

Title: TESTAMENT OF YOUTH: An Autobiographical ...
Publisher: Victor Gollancz, 14 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London
Publication Date: 1933
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
Edition: First Edition