Vita Sackville West — The Edwardians

Leipzig, Bernard Tauchnitz, 1931. First edition. Paperback. The first Tauchnitz edition of this novel by Vita Sackville-West, two volumes, one for German and one for Swiss publication. The first edition of this work, part of the 'Collection of British and American Authors' by Tauchnitz. Two of the same volume, difficult to find for different publications, one being the German publication, and the other, Swiss. With prices to spine M. 2- and Fs. 12.50. Christian Bernhard Tauchnitz founded his Leipzig publishing firm in 1837 at the age of 20. His specialism was publishing foreign language books, particularly English. He began his firm at a defining period for English literature, as popular authors were producing a wider range of work in differing genres and forms.    Tauchnitz built a good reputation with many leading British and American authors which lead him to be the principal publisher of English Language books in continental Europe from 1840 to 1940. In some instances authors sent Tauchnitz their proofs in order for them to be published at the same time as the British publisher, or in some cases before. In nineteenth century  Britain, an author's work could be published by several different publishing houses leading to the production of their novels in a variety of formats. By Tauchnitz owning the publishing rights to nearly all the leading British authors for the first time there was a consistent format.    The Edwardians is a novel by Vita Sackville-West, a critique of the Edwardian aristocratic society as well as an insight of her own childhood. It follows the story of Sebastian and his development as a an during the twentieth century, taking on the genre of bildungsroman. A scarce imprint of this work. In the original publisher's paper wraps. Externally smart with minor shelfwear. Spine is slightly sunned and cracked. Minor faint spotting to wraps and minor mark to front wrap to German publication. German publication signed by a previous owner to front free endpaper, dated 1952. Internally, firmly bound. Minor faint scattered spotting to fore edge, affecting only the occasional page. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .