Tove Jansson - Moominland Midwinter - Ernest Benn UK 1st ed 1st impression 1958

Published by Ernest Benn Limited, London, 1958. Hardcover. First UK edition, first impression of Moominland Midwinter (Trollvinter) by Tove Jansson — the sixth title in the Moomin series. Blue cloth with gilt titles to the backstrip and gilt decoration of Too-Ticky at the upper board. Pp. 165 with one further leaf of reviews, illustrated throughout with vignettes and full-page drawings by the author. Both endpapers present. A rare book in any condition.

Moominland Midwinter is one of the most distinctive and sombre entries in the series — when Moomintroll unexpectedly wakes from hibernation in the depths of winter, he must confront solitude, strange new feelings, and the unfamiliar world without his family. Often read as an allegory for the transition from childhood to adolescence.

Condition: Very Good. Text block fresh with no foxing, spotting, or pen-marks; no ownership inscriptions; not an ex-library copy. Binding firm and straight. Top corner of the upper board lightly bumped; remaining corners sharp. Spine tips gently rounded with minimal shelf-wear. Slight loss of colour to a small area of the top edge of the front board.

Dustjacket unclipped with price of 11s 6d net at the front flap. A noticeable chip to the bottom edge of the lower panel and a smaller chip at the top of the spine. Two tears tape-repaired with some loss of laminate at the bottom edge of the front panel. All edges creased with minor nicks and small chipping throughout. Good — now protected from further wear.