THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS (First edition - a rare second printing in a complete wartime dustwrapper)
Language: English
Published by Geoffrey Bles: The Centenary Press, 37 Essex Street, Strand, London, 1942
- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Orlando Booksellers, Lincoln, United KingdomOrlando Booksellers
AbeBooks seller since January 11, 2000
Condition: Used - Very good
£ 2,500.00
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
A rare example of the second printing of the true first edition, published just one month after the first printing, in March 1942. The book was first published in February 1942, and became something of a bestseller, eventually going into many further reprintings during the 1940s. The cream printed dustwrapper design was eventually replaced by a newly designed dark-blue dustwrapper by around the 13th printing in 1944. With a two-page preface by C. S. Lewis written July 5th, 1941 to the fore. ***A very good copy in black cloth-covered boards with a paper label to the spine. The boards are beautifully clean and undamaged, having been protected by the dustwrapper since 1942. The paper label is also beautifully clean, complete without any damage. The fragile cloth of the spine is undamaged. The boards are thin as the publishers had to conform to wartime publishing restrictions, but this copy has absolutely straight boards with no warping - just a very slight reading lean. Spine tight. No tears to the cloth. Corners sharp. Edges of page block clean. Internally the book is also very good, with a neat ownership name at the top of the front free endpaper in pencil. The wartime paper is very clean, and still white, and there is none of the usual foxing or offsetting to the pastedowns. The interior would be described as near fine, but for a couple of top page corners which have been turned over by the original owner - not too noticeable (please see scans). No other creases or tears. There are also some very small marks in soft pencil in the margins (these could easily be rubbed out if required). ***In a very good original printed dustwrapper, which correctly states 'Second Edition' at the top of the front flap, and which retains the original printed price of 5s. net at the bottom corner of the front flap. The dustwrapper is the most complete example from this period that we have come across, with just slight loss at the top and tail of the spine, and top corner tips. The dustwrapper is only slightly darkened with age, mainly at the spine. No other loss or damage. Virtually no creasing. Hardly any other wear to the panels and foldovers, which are very clean. A remarkably complete dustwrapper. ***190mm x 130mm. 160 pages. ***'In this witty and profound book Mr. Lewis has written the most vital restatement of religious truths produced in our time, and he has found a brilliantly original form in which to do it. At every point these letters reveal a penetrating understanding of good and evil, and I do not hesitate to compare Mr. Lewis's achievement with "Pilgrim's progress."' W. J. Turner in The Spectator. ***'Brilliantly successful.' Times Lit. Supp. (Review quotes taken from the inside front flap of the dustwrapper). ***A rare second printing (published just a month after the first printing) in the original and complete printed dustwrapper. A fragile 1942 wartime book with thin boards and a very fragile thin dustwrapper. A really beautiful early copy of one of C. S. Lewis's most sought-after works. This delicate book is now over eighty years old, and copies in complete clean dustwrappers are extremely hard to find now. Copies in dustwrappers in such beautiful condition are almost impossible to find, as the wartime dustwrapper is so thin. The best and earliest copy of this landmark work that we have had the pleasure to handle. A real collector's item - exceptionally scarce in this condition, being a fragile wartime book. ***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 # 9436
Bibliographic details
- Title
- THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS (First edition - a rare second printing in a complete wartime dustwrapper)
- Author
- C. S. Lewis (Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford)
- Publisher
- Geoffrey Bles: The Centenary Press, 37 Essex Street, Strand, London
- Publication year
- 1942
- Condition
- Very Good
- Dust jacket
- Very Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- Edition
- First Edition
- Printing
- Second Printing
- Seller catalogs
- Esoteric & Religious Beliefs, First Editions, World War Two (Second World War)
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.