Brighton Rock

First Edition. (Sydney, Australia: The Invincible Press n.d. circa 1945). First Australian Edition, First Issue. A softcover production with stiff printed stapled wrappers (not issued with a D/W). Usual page tanning due to the poor quality of paper used and rubbing to the sides of the spine and with a hint of loss at the head and tail of the spine but still overall a solid VG copy of this very rare edition seldom found in collectable condition given the fragility of its production. The front covers shows the printed published price of 1/6 (without the later over-sticker seen elsewhere). The design of the front cover matches that of the UK first edition. A bibliographical note: the first issue of this Australian first edition has an advert for "Murder is Forgetful" by William Bogart to the back panel which the National Library of Australia speculate as being published in "1945 (?)". Second or later issues of this title have a list of other books available (in a list) from the Invincible Press (including Brighton Rock). A further bibliographical note: This, the first Australian Edition is important as it drastically condensed various parts, so that (for example) the final chapter was reduced to less than one page. The book gives no warning that the text is thus abridged. It seems virtually certain that the publishers and not the author bore the responsibility for these alterations. This book was printed under austerity measures by Truth and Sportsman Ltd, cnr. Kippax and Holt Streets, Sydney. Because of wartime restrictions, the quality of both paper and print is very poor which is the reason why most copies turn up in really battered, tatty, well-used and creased shape and often with foxing to the covers. This copy has escaped that fate and is in shelvable condition. The publication date of the Australian first edition is un-known although Cedric Watts at the 1999 Graham Greene International Festival opined that it was published circa 1950. Photographs/scans available upon request. A real Graham Greene rarity.