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DAVIES**, HUNTER: : WAINWRIGHT: The Biography

LONDON.MICHAEL JOSEPH LTD.,1995.

ISBN 0718139097.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,illustrated,1st edn. [Complete number line 5 7 9 10 8 6,so 1st edn,5th imp.] VG+/VG. Donor's gift presentation inscrptn+Xmas date '95 to top corner of half-title page,but no clip to dw/dj - absence of published price - so possibly an export edn.Bright,clean, glossy, white background illustrated with a grey topographical map and subject's sitting portrai colour photograph to front of dw/dj with capitalised,purple-lettered part-title and black-lettered sub-title at front's top edge and author's capitalised,dark grey lettered name at front's lower edge.Spine/backstrip with a grey small diagram,author's similarly coloured+ lettered name at its head,capitalised,pale blue-lettered (sunned/faded?) and black-lettered sub-title and publisher's capitalised,black-lettered name to foot of same,rear panel of dw/dj with subject's own hand drawn b/w thumbnail sketch reproduction and black-lettered prose extracts from his diaries.Negligible shelf-wear to edges and corners - no major nicks tears or splits present - rear,top corner tip with a small closed tear with clear sellotape repair internally and externally; inevitable but minimal,light and superficial scoring to either panel of dw/dj,an indent to rear panel's gutter crease - without penetration to board beneath. Top edge with minimal ageing/toning and minimal dust flecks,fore-edges brighter and cleaner - almost foxing-free; contents bright,tight,clean, solid and sound - virtually pristine - with no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners, appears unread apart from my own collation. Publisher's brigth clean,sharp-cornered,original plain black cloth boards with bright,crisp, blocked,gilt-lettered spine,a b/w striped headband and immaculate plain white endpapers. UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,illustrated,1st edn,vii-xipp+1- 355pp [paginated] includes Illustrations list/table with Acknowledgements to its reverse, author's Introduction,28 chapters,16pp contemporary subject and others' biographical b/w photographs in 2 blocks of 8pp apiece, between pp52/53 and pp292/93 respectively,plus subject's b/w thumbnail sketches,views and maps and b/w facsimile illustration reproductions interspersed throughout the text and the book,an Appendix in form of a compass diagram listing the fells locations at all points,a Bibliography and an Index; plus [unpaginated] half-title page,title page with repeated compass illustration of Appendix,and a Contents list/table.                                           Visually,the external appearance is more than acceptable,and particularly internally, is in an exceptional condition/state of preservation and presentation for a book of it’s 25+ year-old age.It is only the minimal faults described that prevent a slightly higher grading overall. Despite that,it really is still an exemplary example for it’s brightnesss,cleanliness and lack of other age-acquired detracting faults commonly encountered in a book of this age.      Alfred Wainwright will always be known for his Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells - hand-drawn and handwritten works of art from which all true fellwalkers have taken their inspiration for th past forty years.         Despite many bestselling books and three television series,Wainwright always remained a very private person,ecouraging readers to believe his image as a gruff recluse who much preferred animals to humans.With full access to Wainwright's private letters and unpublished material,Hunter Davies reveals a far more complex man - passionate,witty and generous - than any reader of his guides might suspect.      Wainwright with a barren home life,lived almost in a fantasy world.In 1938 he wrote about the woman of his dreams - but had to wait nearly thirty years before he found her.In 1942 he prophesied that 'my life's blood will be Wainwright's Guide to the Fells,and will be my memorial'.                                        From his early days in Balckburn,where he was the satirist of the Borough Treasurer's Office, to Kendal,where he lived and worked for so many years,'Wainwright' throws a completely new and surprising light on what has been until now a shadowy and misunderstood person.   Please contact the seller,particularly ALL overseas buyers,for correct shipping/P+p quotes BEFORE placing your order,especially if ordering any multiples. N.B. ALL buyers please note,stock(s') shipping quotes are adjusted for any refunds AFTER receipt of order and BEFORE the despatch of the order,especially if the item is offered either P+p included/FREE. ** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: US Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard US AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always. **                                                                                  

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,illustrated,1st edn.
Not SIGNED.

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