Alas Babylon by Frank, Pat - 1959

Constable, London, 1959.  Hardcover (13 x 20 cm), 254 pages.  First U.K. Edition.  The copyright page reads "1959 by Pat Frank" followed by "First published in Great Britain in 1959" with no other publication date/print indicated.  The book is in Good condition.  Full-bound red boards with gold lettering on spine.  Top page edges stained black.  Slanted spine.  The boards are bumped and lightly rubbed, most notably at head & foot of spine.  Rolled, creased at head & foot of spine.  Some fading along board edges.  No inscriptions. Pages tanning with some mild foxing noted.  Bottom page edges have been bumped resulting in some creasing, small tears.  Specifically, pages 101/102 and 113/114 have small tears/creasing at bottom edge (approximate 2cm and 1cm respectively).  There is a small brown spot on rear pastedown.  The dust jacket (dj) is in Fair condition.  Significant chipping, tears and creases.  Most notably, there is one large tear (approximate 7 cm arc) on front cover at bottom (thru author's name).  There are also tears (approximate 2-3cm), with creasing, chipping along the top and bottom front flap fold creases.  Additionally, there are small tears (approximate 1cm), with creasing, chipping at top and bottom of rear flap fold crease.  Chipped, torn and creased at head/foot of spine/spine corners.  Numerous smaller closed tears along dj edges.  Two pieces of tape applied to inside dj at bottom (front cover and spine) in apparent attempt to reinforce tears.  The dj spine is faded.  The dj is soiled/yellowing (most significant along edges & folds.  Some soiling, spotting noted on rear of dj.  The dj is not price-clipped, shows original price of 15s. net.  The dust jacket is now protected in an archival (removable) book jacket cover.  Additional photos and/or information available upon request.  Weight 345g