London: Elkin Mathews, 1905. First Edition. A sharp copy of Firbank's first book, the publication of which he financed himself. "Odette is a pastiche from Firbank's reading of Francis Jammes, a tale of the power of an innocent, believing child who, in her search for the "Holy Mary," saves a harlot from suicide. Its setting is a saccharine version of St. Symphorien, all flowers and birdsong, a romantic chÃ¢teau, and the distant towers of the cathedral...purple in the setting sun" (Benkovitz, p.52). In A Study in Temperament, he tells of "an attempted seduction which has less importance to the lady involved than the color of her hair. She lives, as do all the characters sketched in this story, within her own consciousness" (ibid., p.44-45). An exemplary copy of the author's debut, scarce in dustjacket. Benkovitz A1a. Regular issue, one of 500 copies. Slim octavo (19.5cm); variant bound in original sea green wrappers, with titles stamped in gilt on front cover; publisher's original beige unprinted paper dustjacket; [7],8-45,[3]pp. Subtle toning to front wrapper, else a fresh, Fine copy. In the original unprinted dustjacket, lightly edgeworn, gently sunned at spine and flap folds, with a few tiny tears, and two small nicks at crown and lower spine panel; Very Good+.

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Bookseller: Captain Ahab's Rare Books (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 5773
Title: ODETTE D'ANTREVERNES AND A STUDY IN TEMPERAMENT
Author: Firbank, Ronald
Book Condition: Used
Quantity Available: 1
Edition: First Edition
Publisher: Elkin Mathews
Place of Publication: London
Date Published: 1905

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Captain Ahab's Rare Books

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Captain Ahab's Rare Books

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Biblio member since 2010

Stephenson, Virginia

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About Captain Ahab's Rare Books

Founded in 2010, Captain Ahab's Rare Books specializes in first editions of literature, genre fiction, film-related books and ephemera, zines, manuscript and archival material.

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Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

First Edition: In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
Wrappers: The paper covering on the outside of a paperback. Also see the entry for pictorial wraps, color illustrated coverings for...
Fine: A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
Sunned: Damage done to a book cover or dust jacket caused by exposure to direct sunlight. Very strong fluorescent light can cause slight...
Spine: The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
Octavo: Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
Gilt: The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
Good+: A term used to denote a condition a slight grade better than Good.