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OPEN THE DOOR!: A Volume of Stories
by SITWELL, Osbert:
- Used
- Hardcover
- Signed
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
York, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Macmillan & Co. Ltd. 1941. First edition, first printing. First edition, first printing. Inscribed association copy. Original burgundy cloth with gilt lettering to the spine, in the John Farleigh illustrated dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth and gilt bright and clean, the contents clean throughout. There is a little fading to the upper spine tip, and a tiny bump to the outer upper corner of the front panel. The dustwrapper, with rubbing and minor scuffing to folds and extremities, has an area of loss at the head of the spine (cutting into the first word of the title), and a tear (c. 3 cm) to the lower fold of the front panel (where it meets the spine). Not price-clipped (7s. 6d. net to the front flap). Inscribed in black ink to the front free endpaper, "For / dear Miss Noble, / from / Osbert Sitwell / November 1941". Philip Ziegler, in his 1998 biography of Sitwell, notes that Miss Noble took over as housekeeper from Mrs Powell, the previous incumbent, around 1930. She clearly became something like a member of the family over the years until, in 1963 when, as Ziegler has it "she was now over eighty and could never remember what day it was and who, if anyone, was coming for lunch or dinner. She was also parsimonious on Osbert's behalf, and was apt to expect to find 1914 prices still ruling in the butcher's or the baker's, would often return empty-handed from a shopping expedition. It was partly the impossibility of getting rid of this loved, loyal but embarrassingly inefficient retainer which convinced Osbert that it was time to leave Carlyle Square [for a flat in Kensington Church Street]". 'Open the Door!' was published on 7 November 1941. 3000 copies were printed. (Philip Ziegler, 'Osbert Sitwell' [London: 1998]; Fifoot OA30). Further details and images for any of the items listed are available on request. Lucius Books welcomes direct contact with our customers.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Lucius Books
(GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 20755
- Title
- OPEN THE DOOR!: A Volume of Stories
- Author
- SITWELL, Osbert:
- Book Condition
- Used
- Edition
- First edition, first printing
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Publisher
- London: Macmillan & Co. Ltd. 1941
Terms of Sale
Lucius Books
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including original shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Lucius Books
Biblio member since 2015
York, North Yorkshire
About Lucius Books
Our shop is located in central York within a stones throw of the historic Micklegate Bar and walls. We are open seven days a week and carry a high quality stock specialising in but not limited to first editions, signed copies, bound sets and childrens / illustrated books and original art. Our opening times are 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sundays.Lucius Books is proud to be a full member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA) and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) trade associations. If you are unable to make it to the shop then our stock is available to view on our website at www.luciusbooks.com
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- 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....
- Inscribed
- When a book is described as being inscribed, it indicates that a short note written by the author or a previous owner has been...
- Association Copy
- An association copy is a copy of a book which has been signed and inscribed by the author for a personal friend, colleague, or...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Rubbing
- Abrasion or wear to the surface. Usually used in reference to a book's boards or dust-jacket.
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- 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...
- 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...
- Dustwrapper
- Also known as book jacket, dust cover, or dust wrapper, a dust jacket is a protective and decorative cover for a book that is...