KEEP THE ASPIDISTRA FLYING - First Penguin paperback edition - Penguin No. 1698 - first printing
Language: English
Published by Penguin Books (in association with Secker & Warburg), Harmondsworth, Middlesex, 1962
- First Edition
- Softcover
- Used
Seller: Orlando Booksellers, Lincoln, United KingdomOrlando Booksellers
AbeBooks seller since January 11, 2000
Condition: Used - Very good
£ 15.00
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
A first printing of the first UK paperback edition published on 22nd Mar 1962 - Penguin Catalogue No. 1698 - priced at 3/6 on the front cover - with a classic 1960s-style pictorial cover with evocative photograph by street photographer Roger Mayne. Originally published as a hardback in the UK in 1936 by Victor Gollancz, and re-issued in 1954 by Secker & Warburg. ***A very good copy in illustrated orange-red card covers. The covers have some marks and creasing commensurate with age and handling, but are very clean - just some light marks on the back cover. The spine is really clean with only very light reading creases. There is no lean to the binding but the spine is slightly curved from reading. No fading to the covers. Internally the book is also very good, with the original owner's initials at the top corner of the half-title page. No serious creases or tears, but please note that there is some stain marking at the top margin of p.14, but only slightly affecting the text (please see scans). There is also a small closed tear to the fore-edge of p. 155/6. The paper stock is slightly tanned with age as usual. No foxing. No dustwrappers were issued on these later Penguin editions. ***264 pages plus a six page publisher's catalogue at the back of the book, extending onto the inside back cover. 182mm x 111mm. ***'"Keep the Aspidistra Flying", first published in 1936, is a socially critical novel by George Orwell set in 1930s London. The main theme is Gordon Comstock's romantic ambition to defy worship of the money-god and status, and the dismal life that results. Orwell wrote in a letter to George Woodcock dated 28 September 1946 that "Keep the Aspidistra Flying" was one of the two or three of his books that he was ashamed of because it "was written simply as an exercise and I oughtn't to have published it, but I was desperate for money. At that time I simply hadn't a book in me, but I was half starved and had to turn out something to bring in £100 or so." Orwell did not want either this book or "A Clergyman's Daughter" reprinted during his lifetime. Orwell's biographer Jeffrey Meyers finds the novel flawed by weaknesses in plot, style and characterisation, but praises "a poignant and moving quality that comes from Orwell's perceptive portrayal of the alienation and loneliness of poverty, and from Rosemary's tender response to Gordon's mean misery."' (Wiki) ***First printing of the first paperback edition of George Orwell's classic pre-war work: "Keep the Aspidistra Flying", in very good original condition - despite the aforementioned flaws. ***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 # PB713
Bibliographic details
- Title
- KEEP THE ASPIDISTRA FLYING - First Penguin paperback edition - Penguin No. 1698 - first printing
- Author
- George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair)
- Publisher
- Penguin Books (in association with Secker & Warburg), Harmondsworth, Middlesex
- Publication year
- 1962
- Condition
- Very Good
- Dust jacket
- No Jacket, as Issued
- Binding
- Original Wraps
- Language
- English
- Illustrator
- Roger Mayne (Cover photograph)
- Edition
- First Paperback Edition
- Printing
- First Printing
- Seller catalogs
- Collectable Paperbacks, First Editions, Literature
Orlando Booksellers
Lincoln, United Kingdom
AbeBooks seller since January 11, 2000
Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
| Item | 8 to 12 business days | 6 to 8 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 20.00 | £ 25.00 |
Payment methods
- Bank Wire Transfer
- Paypal
Store description
We specialize in 20th Century literature, and in particular, Modern First Editions. We would be interested in buying such books, whether individual items or collections. We are particularly interested in Bloomsbury writers, Beats & Counter Culture and 20th C photography monographs. Our books can be viewed as a whole on ABE, or by choosing one of a number of catalogues that we have set up for particular interests, such as Crime Fiction & True Crime, Collectable Paperbacks, Children's Literature etc.…
Specialty
Modern First Editions, Literature, Literature in Translation, Bloomsbury Group, Counter-culture, Antiquarian, Collectable Paperbacks, Art & PhotographySeller's business information
Orlando Booksellers
1 Rasen Lane
Lincoln, United Kingdom LN1 3EZ
Terms of sale
Mastercard, Visa and PayPal accepted. We also accept personal cheques for UK sales, made out to Orlando Booksellers (UK pounds). Proof of postage is obtained for all items, however, we cannot be responsible for items lost or damaged in transit. Therefore, on higher value items, we offer the option of tracked (insured) shipping which offers peace of mind for both the bookseller and the customer. [See Shipping Terms section below for more information]. We always pack our books extremely well to protect them from any possible damage. Any title found not to be as described may be returned, provided this is done within fourteen days of its receipt. We are happy to offer a 10% discount on book prices for fellow booksellers. Orlando Booksellers is a partnership - Alison Smith and Chris McKee. Our VAT Registration number is 629 3707 21.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Orlando Booksellers, Lincoln, United Kingdom, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging materials; any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only; for the UK, our standard rate is for first class, and the priority rate includes tracked (signed for) delivery; for International sales, our standard rate is for Airmail delivery, and the priority rate is for tracked (International signed for) delivery. We would prefer that you choose the priority rate (tracked option) for higher value books of say £50 or more. Please note that we will always reduce shipping fees where appropriate e.g. for smaller (lighter) books when we accept your order. For heavier books and sets etc. we will often 'soak up' the extra cost, but on occasion, we may need to charge more than the quoted shipping fee. However, customers will always have the option to either accept or decline the revised order amount. We will also reduce the overall shipping fee for multiple orders. We will endeavour to ship all books within two business days of receiving your order.