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Jocelyn Brooke – A Mine Of Serpents – SIGNED First Edition 1949
£245.00
A first edition, first printing of A Mine of Serpents by Jocelyn Brooke, published by The Bodley Head, London in 1949. A near fine book inscribed by the author in blue ink to the front free end paper, bookplate of collector Peter Apap Bologna to front paste down, signature of former owner Nan Wilson in blue ink to the front free end paper, illustrated with several full page reproductions of steel engravings, boards bound in original publishers grey cloth with tarnished gilt titling to the spine, some ghosting to the spine and fading to extremities, binding slightly cocked, red top stain to the text block and toning to the fore-edge and bottom edge. In a near fine unclipped wrapper with chipping to the head of the spine and upper knuckles of front and rear flap folds, thin strips of toning to the exposed flap edges.
A Mine of Serpents by Jocelyn Brooke, the second part of his semi-autobiographical Orchid Trilogy, deepens his lyrical portrayal of war-touched childhood on England’s Kent coast. The narrator’s twin obsessions—orchids and fireworks—merge in this volume, where fireworks, in particular, symbolise both danger and wonder. Through nostalgic, memoir-tinged prose, Brooke explores memory, passion and loss, weaving personal longing into the broader tapestry of post-war introspection and quiet, atmospheric reflection.
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- Description
Description
A first edition, first printing of A Mine of Serpents by Jocelyn Brooke, published by The Bodley Head, London in 1949. A near fine book inscribed by the author in blue ink to the front free end paper, bookplate of collector Peter Apap Bologna to front paste down, signature of former owner Nan Wilson in blue ink to the front free end paper, illustrated with several full page reproductions of steel engravings, boards bound in original publishers grey cloth with tarnished gilt titling to the spine, some ghosting to the spine and fading to extremities, binding slightly cocked, red top stain to the text block and toning to the fore-edge and bottom edge. In a near fine unclipped wrapper with chipping to the head of the spine and upper knuckles of front and rear flap folds, thin strips of toning to the exposed flap edges.
A Mine of Serpents by Jocelyn Brooke, the second part of his semi-autobiographical Orchid Trilogy, deepens his lyrical portrayal of war-touched childhood on England’s Kent coast. The narrator’s twin obsessions—orchids and fireworks—merge in this volume, where fireworks, in particular, symbolise both danger and wonder. Through nostalgic, memoir-tinged prose, Brooke explores memory, passion and loss, weaving personal longing into the broader tapestry of post-war introspection and quiet, atmospheric reflection.
