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

Publisher: Ernest Benn Limited, London

Publication Date: 1958

Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Jansson, Tove

Condition: Very Good

Dust Jacket Condition: Good

First Printing.

The sixth title in the legendary Moomins series.

Moominland in Midwinter or "Trollvinter" to give it its Swedish name offers a more sombre, introspective tone than its predecessors. When Moomintroll unexpectedly awakes from hibernation midwinter, he has to learn to fend for himself and deal with strange new feelings. 

Many see the story as an allegory for the transition from childhood to adolescence.

You are looking at the UK first impression, published in London by Ernest Benn in 1958. A rare book in any condition, this is a pleasing copy with a few defects to the dustjacket.

Blue cloth with gilt titles to the backstrip and gilt decoration (of Too-Ticky) at the upper board. 165 pages with one further leaf at the rear with reviews of earlier titles. Both endpapers present. Illustrated with vignettes and full page illustrations by Tove Jansson.

The block is fresh and there is neither foxing nor other kinds of spotting to the pages or page-edges.

It is not an ex-library copy and is entirely free from owner names, pen-marks etc.

The binding is still firm and straight. The top corner of the upper board is bumped a little, the remaining corners sharp. The spine tips are still nicely rounded with just a hint of shelf-life. There is a slight loss of colour to a small part of the top edge of the front board (see images).

This book is in VG condition - at least.

The dustjacket is not price-clipped with "11s 6d net" at the front flap. There is a noticeable chip to the bottom edge of the lower panel and a further, smaller chip at the top of the spine. Two tears have been tape-repaired reasonably well but you can see from the accompanying images that some loss of the laminate has been incurred at the bottom edge, front panel. All of the edges of the dustjacket are creased with some nicks and very small chipping here and there. Definitely not a Fine dustjacket but as you will see from the pictures it remains reasonably presentable and is now protected from further wear.

Overall, an attractive copy of this very rare book - quite probably the best-condition copy currently available on the internet.