A PREFACE TO PARADISE LOST Being the Ballard Matthews Lectures Delivered at University College, North Wales, 1941 Revised and Enlarged (First edition - first impression - near fine in original chipped dustwrapper)

C. S. Lewis, M.A. (Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford)

Edité par Oxford University Press, Amen House, London E.C.4, 1942

A propos de cet article

An extremely scarce first impression of the true first edition, published during the Second World War in 1942. With a two-page Dedication to Charles Williams written by C. S. Lewis. The book was published under wartime economy restrictions, and has much thinner paper than later impressions - as compared with a 1943 third impression which we also have listed on ABE Books (please see scans for comparison).

***An extraordinary near fine copy in bright-green cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The gilt is still beautifully bright, having been protected by the dustwrapper. The boards are absolutely clean. The page block edges are also clean, with just some very light foxing to the fore-edge. Top edge of page block stained light-green by the publisher - now slightly faded. Head and tail of spine uncreased. Corners sharp. There is no reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Internally also near fine with no previous ownership marks or annotations. Unusually there is none of the usual off-setting or foxing to the endpapers, and the interior pages are also completely clean. The paper stock is clean and is much whiter than is usually found for this book (which is normally found with tanned paper stock). No tears or creasing. ***In a very good green and white printed dustwrapper, which is largely complete, but which has been price-clipped with a large square cut from the lower corner of the front flap (please see scans). The dustwrapper has some loss at the top and tail of the spine, and there is a chip at the top edge of the front panel. Smaller loss at the lower edge of the front panel and corner tips. There is quite a bit of rubbing and creasing to the extremities, but the white areas of the dustwrapper are remarkably clean, including the back panel which is largely unmarked. Slight fading to the green colour on the spine but no browning. ***140 pages with a three-page Index at the back of the book. 188mm x 130mm.

***Contents: Dedication, I. Epic Poetry, II. Is Criticism Possible?, III. Primary Epic, IV. The Technique of Primary Epic, V. The Subject of Primary Epic, VI. Virgil and the Subject of Secondary Epic, VII. The Style of Secondary Epic, VIII. Defence of this Style, IX. The Doctrine of the Unchanging Human Heart, X. Milton and St Augustine, XI. Hierarchy, XII. The Theology of Paradise Lost, XIII. Satan, XIV. Satan's Followers, XV. The Mistake about Milton's Angels, XVI. Adam and Eve, XVII. Unfallen Sexuality, XVIII. The Fall, XIX. Conclusion, Appendix, Index.

***'This book is called a Preface because its main purpose is to remove those obstacles to the enjoyment of "Paradise Lost" which have recently been accumulating. It is therefore much concerned with preliminaries--with the possibility of criticism, the nature of epic, the theology and pneumatology of the poem, and, above all, the Hierarchical Principle. As regards the content of "Paradise Lost", the author has found it his chief duty to encourage simplicity and restore the belief that Milton may, after all, have hated what he displays as hateful. The defence of its form resolves itself into a plea that ritual, and splendour, and joy itself, have a right to exist.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper).

***A scarce first impression of the true first edition, published during wartime "in complete conformity with the authorized economy standards" (as printed on the last blank page) - in its original and very fragile thin dustwrapper. Early impressions of this book in their original dustwrappers are extremely hard to find now, and first impressions are almost unobtainable. The book itself is in remarkable near fine condition, and the dustwrapper is still presentable, albeit with the above-mentioned faults. A very scarce C. S. Lewis first edition for the collector.

N° de réf. du vendeur 9507

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: A PREFACE TO PARADISE LOST Being the Ballard Matthews Lectures Delivered at University College, North Wales, 1941 Revised and Enlarged (First edition - first impression - near fine in original chipped dustwrapper)
• Éditeur: Oxford University Press, Amen House, London E.C.4
• Date de parution: 1942
• Langue: anglais
• Reliure: Hardcover
• Édition: First Edition
• Impression: First Impression
• État de l'article: Near Fine
• État de la jaquette: Very Good
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • Literature
  • First Editions
  • Wartime & Post War Publishing 1939-1950