In Pursuit Of Spring

The First UK printing published by Thomas Nelson and Sons, London in 1914. The BOOK is in near Fine condition. The correct first state with the artist's name spelt incorrectly on the 'List of Illustrations'. Light pushing at the spine tips with small bumps to the upper front-end lower rear corners. The gilt titling and decorations remain very bright. Illustrated map endpapers and top edge gilt as issued.A mild light crease to the rear map end-paper. Light toning and spotting to the lower and fore text-block. Free from inscriptions. Frontispiece and five other plates after drawings by Ernest Hazlehurst tipped-in to grey thick paper, as issued, with all captioned tissue guards present. The scarce WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good++ or better condition. Light edge-wear to the spine ends and corners with a small chip to the lower spine. Light marking and toning to the spine. The wrapper retains the scarce illustrated plate to the front panel with the artist's name spelt correctly. The wrapper presents as a bright example in the removable Brodart archival cover. 'In Pursuit of Spring' was Thomas's last work of prose and provides an account of his week-long bicycle ride from central London out into the Quantock Hills in Somerset undertaken in March 1913. It is often considered the best of Thomas's country books, and mixes 'observation, information, stories, portraits, self-portraits, literary criticism, folk-tales, and reflection' (ODNB). A collectible title. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.