The 1940s marked a transformative period for literature, shaped by the tumultuous events of World War II. Writers responded to the global conflict with works that reflected themes of adversity, resilience, and human struggle. War narratives and existentialist themes emerged, capturing the existential angst of the era. The decade also witnessed the rise of modernist and postmodernist experimentation, challenging traditional literary forms and conventions. Notable works such as George Orwell’s “1984” and Albert Camus’s “The Stranger” exemplify the diverse literary landscape of the time, characterised by a fusion of social commentary, philosophical inquiry, and artistic innovation.
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Kingsley Amis – Bright November – First Edition 1943
£485.00A first edition, first printing of ‘Bright November’ published by The Fortune Press in 1943. A very good book with some faint tape shadows to the endpapers. In a very…
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Nancy Mitford – The Radlett Trilogy – The Pursuit of Love/Love in a Cold Climate/Don’t Tell Alfred – All First Editions – ALL Inscribed by MitfordÂ
£17,500.00A set of first editions of Mitford’s masterpiece, The Radlett Trilogy. All three are first edition, first printings. Comprising: ‘The Pursuit of Love’: A very good book without inscriptions -…
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George Orwell – Nineteen Eighty-Four [1984] – First Edition 1949
£2,500.00A first edition, first printing ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ published by Secker and Warburg in 1949. A fine book with only some light rippling to the prelims – minor rubbing. No inscriptions…
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Agatha Christie – Five Little Pigs – First UK Edition 1942
£2,350.00A first edition, first printing of ‘Five Little Pigs’ published by Collins [The Crime Club] in 1942. A very good book with an erased previous owner’s address and colour pencil…
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George Orwell – Nineteen Eighty-Four [1984] – First Edition 1949 – in maroon wrapper
£7,500.00A first edition, first printing ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ published by Secker and Warburg in 1949. A very good book with some light fading to the boards and a little spotting to…
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Agatha Christie – Taken At The Flood – First Edition 1948
£850.00First edition, first printing of ‘Taken at the Flood’. Published by Collins Crime Club in London, 1948. This is a near fine copy. The near fine dust wrapper has benefitted…
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Daphne Du Maurier – The Years Between – First Edition 1945 – with Exhibitors’ Campaign Book
£185.00A first edition, first printing of The Years Between by Daphne Du Maurier, published by Gollancz, London in 1945. A near fine copy with dated inscription in blue ink to…
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Tennessee Williams – A Streetcar Named Desire – First Edition 1949
£375.00London: John Lehmann, 1949. A near fine book in wrapper. Green textured boards bright and fresh with sharp tips. Spine lean at base. Gilt lettering on black background on spine…
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George Orwell – Animal Farm – First Edition 1945 – In custom-made box
£12,500.00A first edition, first printing of ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell, published by Secker and Warburg in 1945. A near fine book (or better) without inscriptions. A touched browned to…
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Enid Blyton – The Castle Of Adventure – First Edition 1946
£185.00A first edition, first printing of ‘The Castle of Adventure’ published by Macmillan in 1946. A near fine book without inscriptions. No browning whatsoever to the spine. Some wear to…
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TIME Magazine – May 7th 1945 [Hitler’s Been Cancelled]
£750.00Volume XLV – Number 19 – May 7, 1945. Hitler with the red cross to the front panel. Iconic issue. Having been named as one of their ‘Men of the…
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Nevil Shute – The Chequer Board – SIGNED First Edition 1947
£650.00A first edition, first printing ‘The Chequer Board’ published by Heinemann in 1947. A very good book with some spotting to the top edge. Wear to the boards and edges…
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W. Heisenberg – Two Lectures [1) The Present Situation in the Theory of Elementary Particles; and 2) Electron Theory of Superconductivity] – First Edition 1949
£65.00First edition. Slim octavo, pp 51. Bound in blue cloth covered hard boards, gilt to spine, no jacket. The two lectures are: 1) The Present Situation in the Theory of…
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Winston Graham – Ross Poldark – First Edition 1945
£450.00First edition, first printing of ‘Ross Poldark’ by Winston Graham. Published by Ward Lock, London, in 1945. This is a good only copy. The book is good only with fading…
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Joyce Cary – The Horse’s Mouth – First Edition 1944
£245.00A first edition, first printing of The Horse’s Mouth by Joyce Cary, published by Michael Joseph, London, in 1944. A near fine copy, free from internal inscriptions, pushing to lower…
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Jocelyn Brooke – A Military Orchid – SIGNED First Edition 1948
£245.00A first edition, first printing of A Military Orchid by Jocelyn Brooke, published by The Bodley Head, London in 1948. A near fine book inscribed by the author in blue…
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