Nineteen Eighty-Four: A 1984 Novel [Early U.K. Edition in Original Green Wrapper]

7 John Street, Bloomsbury, London : Martin Secker & Warburg, Limited , 1951. Rare first edition, fifth impression or printing in original matching wrapper. Stated at copyright: "First published 1949... Reprinted 1951". Matches first printing in overall book and wrapper design, coloring, and size. Printed in France. Green full-cloth boards, crisp red impressed spine titles, light shelf wear, sunning to few edges. Pages generally very good, clean; some toning, fox to exterior block. Very lightly pencilled to back pastedown are few small reference page numbers. Red top-stain. Small blue antiquarian bookstore tag inside cover: "Bowes & Bowes, New & Second-hand Booksellers, Trinity Street, Cambridge". Bind fine, square; hinges intact. Dark green dust wrapper, moderate shelf wear, rub; unclipped 12s 6d net to back flap, protected in fine clear sleeve. At back flap, stated Fifth Impression, jacket design by Michael Kennard and the original summary of this title. Front flap replaces Bertrand Russell review with the available works of Orwell. Back panel replaces Works of Orwell, with statement that he died suddenly in London in the winter of 1949-50; followed by brief statements of tribute from Arthur Koestler, The Observer, The Times, Manchester Guardian, and Daily Telegraph. Rare near very good early printing in same original wrapper. Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 - 21 January 1950) pseudonymously George Orwell, composed this narrative message in 1948 and juxtaposed the numbers to 1984 as its time and place. The novel was first published in 1949 and he would pass the following January of 1950 at the age of 46. 1984 is the year in which it happened! The world is divided into three great powers, Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia, each perpetually at war. Britain is part of Oceania and is known as Airstrip 1. Throughout Oceania, The Party rules through four ministries, whose power is absolute. The Ministry of Peace deals with war, the Ministry of Love, seat of the dreaded Thought Police, handles 'law and order,' the Ministry of Plenty deals in scarcities, and the Ministry of Truth doles out the propaganda. 'New-speak' is the 'modern' perversion of language ordained by the Party. It has installed such remarkable words as double-think (duplicitousness), thought-crime, and sex-crime or 'love' in standard English. In every room, a tele-screen is installed, which can never be switched off, and where 'authorities' spy on every action, word, gesture, and thought. On every hoarding a huge face is displayed - the face of Big Brother! Set within this nightmare is the drama of Winston Smith, possibly the last man alive to rebel against the Party's rule and doctrine, clinging to the belief in the individual and in those precious human feelings and values. With flawless craftsmanship, ingenuity and narrative power Mr. Orwell lays out a terrifying potential future. The love of Winston for the amorous and independent Julia, and the fate that befalls them, stirs the reader's emotions as the cautionary tale paces to a tremendous climax. When Mr. Orwell's 'Animal Farm' was published three years prior, critics hailed him as a new Jonathan Swift. The satirical passages in '1984' justify the critics' verdict. But, presented here is much more than satire. Bertrand Russell stated: "...1984 depicts with great power the horrors of a totalitarian regime. It is important the western world is aware of these dangers, and not only in the narrow form of (Communist) Russia. Mr. Orwell contributes to this important purpose with skill and a force of imagination. I hope it will be widely read." Printed in France by Regle, Le Livre Universel, and bound by Key & Whiting Ltd., London. 318 pages. Insured post.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good. Illus. by Kennar, Michael (Wrapper Design). 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Book.