THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE

New York: The Macmillan Company, 1959. First printing. Near fine in very good plus jacket.. Pre-publication proof copy, with trial dust jacket, of the first edition of Strunk & White, as revised by E.B. White from Strunk's original "little book." Small in size yet imperious in its dictates, loved by some and feared by more, THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE is the Napoleon of writers' guides. "Do not affect a breezy manner," it orders; "avoid fancy words," it continues, in the first of many brazen personal attacks on this cataloguer. It is a classic for good reason. Elaboration would require needless words: "It is seldom advisable to tell all."

Originally self-published by Strunk in 1919 for use in his Cornell classes (where White was originally exposed to the text as a student), a later edition eventually was reintroduced to White in 1957. White would praise the book later that same year for the NEW YORKER (a column that would go on to form the basis for his introduction here). Shortly thereafter, Macmillan approached White about an expanded and revised edition - the first to include White's revisions and inclusions, and the version that has since gone on to innumerable, well-known editions and printings. Indeed, TIME named ELEMENTS OF STYLE in 2011 one of the 100 most influential books written in English since 1923. That success was far from a foregone conclusion, however, and the first printing remains uncommon - even moreso in an advance proof copy, which is not mentioned by White bibliographer Katherine Romans Hall. Rare. 8'' x 4.75''. Original publisher's folded and gathered sheets, stitched at spine, in glued-on unprinted card covers - as issued. In original dust jacket designed by The Strimbans. 71, [1] pages. Publisher's publication date stamp to title page. Light soil to wrappers and rear jacket panel. Front jacket flap corners clipped.