Over Sea, Under Stone

1965, the first UK printing of the first book in Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising sequence

Author

Susan Cooper, illustrated by Margery Gill

Publisher

Jonathan Cape, London, 1965

Printing Details

First edition, first printing. Hardback in dustwrapper. The book is bound in grey cloth with gilt titling to spine. 20 × 13.5cm. 252pp.

Susan Cooper's first book, and the first instalment in her The Dark is Rising sequence. This is the true first being the first UK edition (the US edition is considered the first printing in the subsequent four titles). All through time, Light and Dark have battled for control of the world. Now, after centuries of balance, the Dark is summoning its terrifying forces to rise once more, and three children find themselves caught in the conflict. The Drew siblings – Simon, Jane, and Barney – are on a family holiday in Cornwall when they discover an ancient map. But, they have no idea how special the map is. Together, they have to take on a quest need to band together and discover the secret weapon that can end the war between Dark and Light...

Condition

The book: This is in good, solid condition. There is minor bumping to the corners and spine ends, and a little tanning to the pages' top edge, and a few spots to the fore-edge. A neat previous owner's name to the front pastedown, hidden by the wrapper. The main body of text very clean and the binding and hinges intact. Small mark to the gutter of page 94/95 (which remains faintly visible from pages 90–97). The dustwrapper: this has light fading to the spine, and with several small tears to the joints. There is tanning to the folds and a some light spotted foxing to the rear panel. It has not been price-clipped (16s net) and the overall impression remains good. It is now within a protective sleeve.

Further images available on request.

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