LETTERS FROM ICELAND (First edition - first impression, in the dustwrapper)

W. H. Auden and Louis MacNeice

Published by Faber and Faber, 24 Russell Square, London, W.C.1, 1937

About this Item

A first impression of the true first edition, published in July 1937, as stated on the printer's page. The book is illustrated with 51 photographs, mostly taken by W. H. Auden, along with seven diagrams in an Appendix and a folding map at the back of the book. Prose letters, verse letters and other poems, including "Auden and MacNeice: Their Last Will and Testament", a thirty-three page poem by the two authors, and ''Epilogue for W.H. Auden'' by MacNeice. ***Near fine in light-green cloth-covered boards with dark-grey and red titles on the spine. The titles are still perfectly bright. The boards are clean and only lightly marked - mainly just lightly browned at the edges. Virtually no creasing to the edges. Corners sharp. Top edge of page block stained black by the publisher - only slightly faded to dark-grey. Page block edges clean without the usual foxing. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Internally also near fine with no ownership marks or annotations. No creasing or tears. Some browning and offsetting to the pastedowns, with a few small spotting marks - otherwise interior pages clean. Folding map in near fine condition. ***In a very good colour printed dustwrapper, which unusually has been price-clipped by the publisher with a 7/6 net price label (the original publisher's printed price was 9s net). The dustwrapper is virtually complete, with just slight loss at the top and tail of the spine, and a small chip at the top edge of the front panel. There is also some inevitable rubbing and creasing at the extremities. No serious chips or tears. Some rubbing marks down the spine. The back panel of the dustwrapper is slightly browned with some darkening mainly at the edges. No creases to the foldover flaps. There is hardly any of the usual fading to the red titles on the spine. Dustwrapper clean and bright. ***224mm x 145mm. 268 pages including an Appendix of diagrams and a folding map at the back of the book. ***'This book takes the form of a series of letters, some in verse, some in prose, written from Iceland in the summer of 1936. The recipients of the letters include Lord Byron, a tourist, an employee of Shell-Mex, a member of the Oxford City Council, a Cambridge lady don, an Icelandic journalist, and a well-known young painter. In addition, Mr. MacNeice contributes an eclogue between two tourists and the ghost of Grettir, and Mr. Auden some amateur photographs. There may be a good many other books about Iceland and about other expeditions, but this is the only book by Mr. Auden and Mr. MacNeice'. (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***A first impression of this impressive poetic travelogue, edited and compiled by W. H. Auden and Louis MacNeice. Whilst the book itself is not uncommon, copies in such nice condition are hard to find now, especially in first impression. A superior copy. ***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 # 9438

Bibliographic Details

• Title: LETTERS FROM ICELAND (First edition - first impression, in the dustwrapper)
• Publisher: Faber and Faber, 24 Russell Square, London, W.C.1
• Publication Date: 1937
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First UK Edition
• Printing: First Impression
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Literature
  • First Editions
  • Travel & Exploration