THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE (First thus- first Cape edition, published as No. 3 in The New Library - with a new Preface by Joseph Conrad - a near fine copy in the dustwrapper)

Stephen Crane (with a new Preface by Joseph Conrad)

Edité par Jonathan Cape, 30 Bedford Square, London, 1937

A propos de cet article

First impression of the first edition thus - published by Jonathan Cape as No. 3 in The New Library series of classic works of literature - with a new 9pp Preface by Joseph Conrad (dated 1923). The book was originally published in the UK by William Heinemann in 1896. ***Near fine in light-green cloth-covered boards with blue titles to the spine, and blue decorations to the front board. The boards are clean and unmarked - just slightly browned at the spine and edges. No discernible faults - no bumps, creases or tears. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Page block edges clean. Internally also near fine with neat ownership name and date but no other annotations. Pages clean and unfoxed. No creases or tears. ***In a very good illustrated dustwrapper, printed in black and red. The dustwrapper has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of 2s. 6d. net. The dustwrapper is complete - just slightly creased and rubbed at the edges - mainly at the top of the spine and top edge of the front panel near the spine. Spine unfadedg but slightly browned. ***253 pages. 177mm x 122mm. ***'Stephen Crane (Nov 1, 1871 - Jun 5, 1900) was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. Prolific throughout his short life, he wrote notable works in the Realist tradition as well as early examples of American Naturalism and Impressionism. He is recognized by modern critics as one of the most innovative writers of his generation. Written thirty years after the end of the Civil War and before Crane had any experience of battle, "The Red Badge of Courage" was innovative stylistically as well as psychologically. Often described as a war novel, it focuses less on battle and more on the main character's psyche and his reactions in war. It is believed that Crane based the fictional battle in the novel on that of Chancellorsville; he may also have interviewed veterans of the 124th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the Orange Blossoms, in Port Jervis, New York. Told in a third-person limited point of view, it reflects the private experience of Henry Fleming, a young soldier who flees from combat. "The Red Badge of Courage" is notable in its vivid descriptions and well-cadenced prose, both of which create suspense within the story. Similarly, by substituting epithets for characters' names ("the youth", "the tattered soldier"), Crane injects an allegorical quality, making his characters point to a specific characteristic of man. Like Crane's first novel, "The Red Badge of Courage" has a deeply ironic tone which increases in severity as the novel progresses. The title of the work is ironic; Henry wishes "that he, too, had a wound, a red badge of courage". The wound he does receive (from the rifle butt of a fleeing Union soldier) is instead a badge of shame.' (Wiki) ***'This war book, so virile and so full of gentle sympathy, in which not a single declamatory sentiment defaces the genuine verbal felicity welding analysis and description in a continuous fascination of individual style.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***"One of the most enduring memories of my literary life is the sensation produced by the appearance in 1895 of Crane's "Red Badge of Courage" in a small volume belonging to Mr. Heinemann's Pioneer Series of Modern Fiction - very modern fiction of that time, and upon the whole not devoid of merit. (Quote taken from Conrad's preface) ***First impression of the first edition thus - published in The New Library by Jonathan Cape. A near fine copy in the pre-war dustwrapper - uncommon thus. Especially interesting with the additional Conrad preface. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.

N° de réf. du vendeur 9339

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE (First thus- first Cape edition, published as No. 3 in The New Library - with a new Preface by Joseph Conrad - a near fine copy in the dustwrapper)
• Éditeur: Jonathan Cape, 30 Bedford Square, London
• Date de parution: 1937
• Langue: anglais
• Reliure: Hardcover
• Édition: First Thus
• Impression: First Impression
• État de l'article: Near Fine
• État de la jaquette: Near Fine
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • Literature
  • First Editions