- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Hidden History of Books, Longs, SC, U.S.A.Hidden History of Books
AbeBooks seller since April 22, 2025
Condition: Used - Very good
£ 192.74
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
First edition of Generation of Vipers (1942), inscribed by Philip Wylie, his most famous and controversial work of American social criticism. Published during World War II, this book became one of the most influential nonfiction titles of the mid-20th century, shaping postwar debates on American culture, psychology, morality, and conformity. This copy bears a lengthy handwritten presentation inscription, dated 1955, naming a specific recipient (Estelle R. Griffin). The inscription includes a full residential address in Anderson, South Carolina, and a contemporaneous telephone number, strongly indicating a personal presentation rather than a simple ownership marking. Although not signed, the inscription is written in a fluent, confident hand consistent with known examples of Philip Wylie’s handwriting from the period. The book is bound in the original publisher’s cloth with spine titling intact. While lacking the dust jacket, this copy remains highly desirable due to the presence of the authorial inscription and its identifiable provenance. Edition Statement First edition, first printing. Published by Rinehart & Company in 1942. No later printing statements present. Correct first-edition format and contents. Condition Very Good. Original cloth binding with moderate edge wear and a small chip/bruise at the lower front board. Spine lettering remains clear and legible. Binding is sound. Interior pages are clean and complete with age-appropriate toning. The inscribed front free endpaper shows normal handling wear but no loss of text. No loose pages. Dust jacket not present. Inscription Note Handwritten presentation inscription by the author, dated 1955, naming a specific individual and including full contact information. No separate signature is present. Inscription placement, content, handwriting style, and date are consistent with authorial presentation inscriptions of the period.…
Seller Inventory # ABE-1768063073711
Bibliographic details
- Title
- Generation of Vipers
- Author
- Philip Wylie
- Publisher
- Rinehart & Co, New York
- Publication year
- 1942
- Condition
- Very good
- Dust jacket
- No Jacket
- Signed
- Inscribed by Author(s)
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- Edition
- 1st Edition
Hidden History of Books
Longs, SC, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since April 22, 2025
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 1 to 3 business days | 1 to 3 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 11.98 | £ 18.71 |
Payment methods
Store description
Welcome to The Hidden History of Books, where every volume has a story waiting to be rediscovered. As a retired librarian with a background in scholarly research and book provenance, I specialize in rare books and first editions that span all genres — from the overlooked and obscure to the culturally iconic. My inventory is carefully sourced from estate sales and private collections, with a focus on books that carry the quiet weight of time, ownership, and intellectual legacy. I believe a book’s value lies not just in its content or rarity, but in the lives it has touched along the way — authors, owners, annotators, and collectors. That belief informs everything I do. You can count on: Conservative grading — no surprises, no exaggerations. I highlight flaws openly and describe condition with care. Detailed listings with a focus on historical and bibliographic context when available. Fast, safe shipping using USPS Media Mail and secure packaging to protect your purchase. Whether you’re a collector, a scholar, or a fellow lover of forgotten shelves, I invite you to browse the catalog and uncover the hidden histories that live between the covers.…
Specialty
Rare and AntiquarianSeller's business information
NC, U.S.A.
Seller Information – Hidden History of Books
Business Name: Hidden History of Books
Legal Entity: LLC
Business Address:
271 McCall Drive
Forest City, NC 28043
Contact Information:
Email: booknerdlibrarian@gmail.com
Consumer Complaints Address:
Complaints can be addressed to the primary business address listed above.
Registrations:
No company or VAT registration numbers are applicable.
Authorized Representative:
Walter Scott
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 Hidden History of Books, Longs, South Carolina, U.S.A., 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.
Privacy and security
Your privacy and security are important to me. All personal information provided during the ordering process — including your name, address, and contact details — is used solely to process and fulfill your order.
I do not store, sell, or share your personal information with third parties.
Payment information is handled securely through AbeBooks’ platform and is never seen or stored by me directly.
All communication is kept confidential and used only in relation to your order or a specific inquiry.
If you have any concerns about your privacy or the security of your transaction, feel free to contact me before placing your order.