Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson. Translated by Elizabeth Portch. Published in London by Ernest Benn in 1951. First Edition, thus, First impression, hardcover in dustjacket. Cream-coloured boards with titles in red at the backstrip and the figures of Moomintroll and the Snork Maiden blocked in red at the upper cover. 191 pages, illustrated with vignettes and full page drawings by the author.
Although preceded by The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945), Comet in Moominland - first published in Finland in 1946 - was the first full-length novel in the Moomins series but was published out-of-sequence in English, following on from Finn Family Moomintroll (1950). The book was revised by Tove Jansson several times and most recent and new editions in English are translations of the 1968 Swedish edition.
Condition: an excellent copy of this Ernest Benn first UK edition: the book remains square and tightly bound with just minor bumping at both spine tips. The lower corner of the lower cover is slightly swollen, the remaining corners sharp. Covers clean and unmarked.
The pastedowns and endpapers are free from off-setting from the dustwrapper and the entire text-block is free from any kind of mould-damage, moisture staining or foxing. Without owner names or labels etc, edges clean.
The dustwrapper is unclipped with price of 8/6 at the front flap. The upper corners are split with small loss and at both spine tips there is further splitting with small chips, as well as 3 very short tears, one of which (at the foot) has been neatly reinforced with tape. Further tiny nick to the bottom edge of the rear panel. Reading crease along the length of the spine which is just slightly off-centre. Minor toning commensurate with age.
As can be seen from the accompanying images, however, the dustwrapper presents very well indeed, free from any stains or obvious marks - VG.
Overall, a premium-condition copy in our experience and very scarce, thus.
