Tove Jansson, Moominland Midwinter, First UK Edition, 1958

Published by Ernest Benn Limited in London in 1958. First UK edition and first impression of Moominland Midwinter by Tove Jansson, originally published in Swedish as Trollvinter.

Hardcover, bound in blue cloth with gilt titles to the spine and a gilt Too-ticky decoration on the front board. 165 pages, followed by one leaf of reviews. Illustrated throughout by Jansson with vignettes and full-page drawings. Both endpapers are present.

Moominland Midwinter is the sixth Moomin book. When Moomintroll unexpectedly wakes from hibernation, he must confront solitude, unfamiliar feelings and a winter world without his family.

Book condition: Very Good. The text block is fresh and free from foxing, spotting, pen marks and ownership inscriptions. Not an ex-library copy. The binding is firm and straight. The upper corner of the front board is lightly bumped, while the remaining corners are sharp. The spine ends are gently rounded with minimal shelf wear. A small area along the top edge of the front board has slight colour loss.

Dustwrapper condition: Good. Unclipped, retaining the price of 11s 6d net on the front flap. There is a noticeable chip at the bottom of the rear panel and a smaller chip at the head of the spine. Two tears at the bottom of the front panel have been repaired with tape, with some loss of laminate. The edges are creased, with minor nicks and small chips throughout. The dustwrapper is now protected from further wear.