LATE MASTERWORK IN FINE STATE

Hanley, James (1897–1985)

A Kingdom [First American Edition]

New York: Horizon Press, 1978. First Edition, First Printing.
A remarkably preserved, unread copy of Hanley's late-career novel, representing the refined psychological depth of his mature period.

Published by Ben Raeburn's Horizon Press in a limited run of 3,000 copies, this American issue is bibliographically distinct for its transatlantic publishing history, mirroring the English design while cementing Hanley's presence in the United States. It stands as a primary document of the enduring editorial partnership between Hanley and the New York literary avant-garde.

[From the estate of Horizon Books publisher Ben Raeburn (1914–1997). While not marked, the volume was acquired as part of the Raeburn library and reflects the scope of his working literary holdings.]

CONDITION: Fine / Fine
+++ THE BOOK: The bindings are tight and square, appearing precisely as issued. The internal pages are clean, bright, and completely free of markings or signs of use. This is an unread and unopened example, retaining the crispness of a new volume.
+++ DUST JACKET: The dust jacket is in Fine condition, retaining its original $8.95 price. The panels are bright with minimal, nearly imperceptible shelf wear. The jacket is now preserved in a new, clear Mylar archival protective sleeve.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE --
'A Kingdom' is a vital part of the Hanley canon, written when the author had fully retreated into a style of 'minimalist' psychological realism. By 1978, Hanley was recognized as a 'writer's writer', and this novel’s focus on two sisters in a remote Welsh cottage showcases his ability to create immense tension from quiet, domestic isolation.

The publication by Horizon Press is particularly significant. Ben Raeburn was one of the few American publishers who remained committed to Hanley's uncompromising vision throughout the post-war era. This edition represents one of the final fruits of that decades-long collaboration.

While Hanley is often associated with his earlier, more visceral works like 'The Furys', 'A Kingdom' proves that his creative stamina remained intact into his eighties. This copy, by virtue of its pristine condition, preserves that legacy in its most dignified physical form.

SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ Publishing History: Documents the economic and aesthetic decisions of Horizon Press, showing how they maintained Hanley's 'brand' by mirroring British production standards.
+++ Late Modernism: Serves as a specimen of Hanley’s final stylistic shift towards extreme economy of language and psychological tension.
+++ Transatlantic Links: A primary artifact for studying the influence of Ben Raeburn on the American reception of British and Irish modernism.

SUBJECTS: British Literature, Modernist Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Irish Diaspora, James Hanley, Horizon Press, Modern First Editions, British Literature, Irish Literature.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE: Gibbs A52b.

Item #21951
ISBN: 0818006277

Price: $45.00