Patrick Leigh Fermor – Time of Gifts Trilogy – First Edition set SIGNED by the author and editors.

Description

First editions, first printings of the Time of Gifts Trilogy by Patrick Leigh Fermor, published by John Murray in London, 1977-2013. Each title has earned it’s own description.

The first title, ‘A Time of Gifts’ (1977) is beautifully illustrated by John Craxton. There is slight wear and toning at the corners, with some very minor creasing at the corners. The spine tips are lightly bumped. It has not been price clipped and shows the original £6.95 net price. The boards are tight and the publisher’s blue buckram without notable wear, proudly bearing the illuminated gilt motif. The text blocks are mostly clean, though with some light marking. This first title is inscribed to fellow novelist Mary Stewart. Leigh Fermor has hand signed “To Mary Stewart in admiration, and with every kind wish from Patrick Leigh Fermor* (see p.121 for borrowed plumage), 22.9.77”. This is a fine association between two authors, with Leigh Fermor hand marking the referred section. The errata is slipped in.

The second title, ‘Between the Woods and the Water’ (1986) is again illustrated by Craxton. The dust wrapper has some slight wear at the top and bottom edges and has not been price clipped, showing the original £13.95 net price. There is some mild marking to the rear panel. The boards are tight and free from chips and marks, again bearing the gilt motifs. The text blocks are bright and white. This title has been boldly flat signed by the author in blue ink to the full title page.

The third and final title, ‘The Broken Road’ (2013) is in fine condition, carrying Ed Kluz illustrations. The dust wrapper is without wear and has not been price clipped, showing the original £25 net price. The boards are tight and sadly lacking the gilt birdy… though this is made up for the stunning endpapers. The text blocks are bright and white throughout. The editors, Colin Thubron and Artemis Cooper, have flat signed in black ink to the full title page.

Overall, this is a near fine set of some beautiful signed titles. The first title, with the Mary Stewart association and inscription is near fine. The second, with the author’s bold signature, is very good (or better) [marred by the marking to the rear panel]. The third is in fine condition, with some great signatures present.

Patrick Leigh Fermor’s trilogy, also known as the “Time of Gifts” trilogy, is a series of travel books that chronicle his journey across Europe from 1933 to 1935. Consisting: “A Time of Gifts” (1977) – This book covers Leigh Fermor’s journey from Holland to the Middle Danube; “Between the Woods and the Water” (1986) – This book covers Leigh Fermor’s journey from the Middle Danube to the Iron Gates, which marks the border between Serbia and Romania; “The Broken Road” (2013) – This book covers Leigh Fermor’s journey from the Iron Gates to Constantinople (now Istanbul).

The trilogy is widely regarded as a classic of travel literature, and Leigh Fermor’s writing is celebrated for its erudition, charm, and vivid descriptions of people, places, and landscapes. In addition to its literary qualities, the trilogy also provides a fascinating snapshot of Europe in the years leading up to World War II.