Virginia Woolf – Orlando – First UK Edition 1928
£3,500.00
A first edition, first printing of ‘Orlando’ by Virginia Woolf published by The Hogarth Press in 1928. 8vo, 299, (1) pp. 8 plates – a very good book neat signature to front endpaper. Publisher’s original orange cloth with some light browning and marking. In the very good wrapper with some creasing and tears and a little loss to the top edge. This, the UK first edition is preceded by a signed limited American edition.
“Orlando: A Biography” by Virginia Woolf, published in 1928, is a seminal work of modernist literature that defies traditional genre classifications. The novel follows the life of its titular character, Orlando, a young nobleman in Elizabethan England who mysteriously transforms into a woman at the age of 30, living for centuries without ageing significantly. Through Orlando’s journey across time, Woolf explores themes of gender and identity fluidity, the nature of literature and history, and the constraints imposed by society. Orlando’s interactions with various historical figures and experiences across different epochs reflect Woolf’s commentary on the rigid gender roles and expectations of her time. The character’s transformation from male to female allows Woolf to challenge and critique the gender norms and patriarchal structures of the early 20th century.
Woolf’s innovative narrative structure blends biography, fiction, and fantasy, characterised by a playful, satirical tone and rich, poetic prose. The novel is also notable for its exploration of sexuality and the fluidity of love, making it a pioneering text in LGBTQ+ literature. “Orlando” remains a vibrant and influential work, celebrated for its bold experimentation and profound insights into human experience.
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- Description
Description
A first edition, first printing of ‘Orlando’ by Virginia Woolf published by The Hogarth Press in 1928. 8vo, 299, (1) pp. 8 plates – a very good book neat signature to front endpaper. Publisher’s original orange cloth with some light browning and marking. In the very good wrapper with some creasing and tears and a little loss to the top edge. This, the UK first edition is preceded by a signed limited American edition.
“Orlando: A Biography” by Virginia Woolf, published in 1928, is a seminal work of modernist literature that defies traditional genre classifications. The novel follows the life of its titular character, Orlando, a young nobleman in Elizabethan England who mysteriously transforms into a woman at the age of 30, living for centuries without ageing significantly. Through Orlando’s journey across time, Woolf explores themes of gender and identity fluidity, the nature of literature and history, and the constraints imposed by society. Orlando’s interactions with various historical figures and experiences across different epochs reflect Woolf’s commentary on the rigid gender roles and expectations of her time. The character’s transformation from male to female allows Woolf to challenge and critique the gender norms and patriarchal structures of the early 20th century.
Woolf’s innovative narrative structure blends biography, fiction, and fantasy, characterised by a playful, satirical tone and rich, poetic prose. The novel is also notable for its exploration of sexuality and the fluidity of love, making it a pioneering text in LGBTQ+ literature. “Orlando” remains a vibrant and influential work, celebrated for its bold experimentation and profound insights into human experience.
