Patrick O'Brian - HMS Surprise - First UK Edition

First UK edition - possibly the most elusive of the early Aubrey-Maturin series, the third volume.

In the publisher's original tan-coloured boards, 318 pages. An attractive copy, the binding is still square and firm, the block quite fresh with no previous ownership names or markings. Minor dust-staining to edges but entirely free from foxing or other spotting. A well-preserved, Near Fine copy.

The dustjacket is unclipped with price of £2.50 at the front flap. At the rear panel there is a (secondary, somewhat faded) contemporary price-sticker. To the front panel, bottom edge, there is a short tear with a tape-repair to the inside, and two further nicks one of which is a split to the bottom of the spine. Minor laminate chips at the crown and along the top edge, front panel - noticeable but not hugely distracting. Overall a VG jacket but somewhat colour-faded, particularly at the spine.