TESTAMENT OF YOUTH: An Autobiographical Study of the Years 1900-1925 (First American edition, second printing in a near-fine dustwrapper)

Vera Brittain

Published by The Macmillan Company, New York, 1933

About this Item

Second printing of the first American edition, published one month after the first impression, with 'Reprinted, September 1933' stated on the printer's page. The book was first published in the UK by Victor Gollancz in August 1933, and also reprinted in September 1933. ***Near fine in scarlet cloth-covered boards with red titles on black panels to the spine and front board. The boards are clean and unmarked. No bumps. No creasing. No tears to the cloth. Top edge of page block clean. Fore-edge of page block untrimmed, as is usual for American editions. Very light sporadic foxing to the fore-edge. The spine colour looks to be just very slightly faded. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions. No creases or tears. Pages clean with no foxing. Spine tight. ***In a near fine original dustwrapper, which has been corner price-clipped. The dustwrapper is remarkably fresh and clean, with just the slightest of wear to the extremities. Just a few small nibbles and nicks to the edges. The back panel is very slightly marked, being a white background. The spine of the dustwrapper is, very surprisingly, completely unfaded, even though it is a very light-sensitive red colour. No significant creasing, tears or chips to the dustwrapper. Just very light foxing to the flaps. ***210mm x 148mm. 661 pages, including author's acknowledgments and foreword by Vera Brittain November 1929 - March 1933 to the fore plus 'The War Generation: Vale, VB. 1933' printed poem to the rear. ***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 second printing of the first American edition, published just a month after the first printing - the book went on to be reprinted numerous times in the 1930s. First and early printings of "Testament of Youth", in both the British and American editions, are extremely hard to find now. Copies in presentable condition are even harder to locate, and those in near-fine dustwrappers are virtually unobtainable. This is an exceptional example of a landmark 20th Century title. The American publication is of superior quality to the Victor Gollancz edition, which was produced using quite cheap materials. Gollancz editions are usually found with tanned pages, and torn, faded dustwrappers. The American edition is possibly a more satisfying book for a collector. A rare example. ***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 # 7709

Bibliographic Details

Title: TESTAMENT OF YOUTH: An Autobiographical ...

Publisher: The Macmillan Company, New York

Publication Date: 1933

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Near Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

Edition: First American Edtion