Winter’s Tales – Isak Dinesen
VG/G

For sale: a Rare and Exceptional first edition, first printing, hardcover copy of Winter’s Tales by Isak Dinesen in an archival wrap. First Edition unstated, 1942 Random House.  First Printing with the Wartime Imprint and no subsequent printing on the copyright page.

The exterior of the book is in Very Good condition with clean, cloth boards with a bit of sheen, and lightly faded title design on the front board. The spine is lightly sunned with a legible title and author ink. Also, clean page blocks, tight binding, moderate spine tilt, lightly rolled spine ends, mild edge wear, and lightly rubbed corners.  The interior of the book is also in Very Good condition with the previous owner’s name, city and date on the first free end paper. No other marks, inscriptions or other signs of ownership inside. The rear end paper and the interior pages are clean and lightly toned, making it an excellent addition to any collection.

The dust jacket is in Good condition with a large gap on the bottom spine end, moderate surface wear, heavy edge wear, and no price on the front flap, as issued. War Bonds imprint on rear flap. Looks great in a Brodart archival wrap.

In Isak Dinesen’s universe, the magical enchantment of the fairy tale and the moral resonance of myth coexist with an unflinching grasp of the most obscure human strengths and weaknesses. A despairing author abandons his wife, but in the course of a long night’s wandering, he learns love’s true value and returns to her, only to find her a different woman than the one he left. A landowner, seeking to prove a principle, inadvertently exposes the ferocity of mother love. A wealthy young traveler melts the hauteur of a lovely woman by masquerading as her aged and loyal servant.

Ships promptly in a secure mailer with the book wrapped in both craft paper and bubble wrap.