Key Details
Title: How Green Was My Valley
Author: Richard Llewellyn
Publisher: Michael Joseph Ltd., 26 Bloomsbury Street, London, W.C.1
Year of Publication: 1939
Edition: First Edition, First Impression
Format: Hardcover – no dust jacket
Binding: Original red cloth boards
Pages: 651 + Guide to Pronunciation of Welsh Names
Language: English
Genre: Literary Fiction / Welsh Literature / Historical Fiction
Printer: William Brendon & Son Ltd., Mayflower Press, Plymouth
Binder: James Burn
Country of Publication: Great Britain
⸻
Mini Story or Hook
A genuine 1939 First Edition, First Impression of Richard Llewellyn’s celebrated How Green Was My Valley, published in London by Michael Joseph.
Told through the memories of Huw Morgan, the novel follows a Welsh mining family and the changing community around them, capturing family, hardship, industrialisation, faith and the passing of a way of life.
The book became Llewellyn’s best-known work and one of the enduring literary portrayals of Welsh mining life, later inspiring the acclaimed 1941 film adaptation.
This copy carries the important early-edition features visible in the photographs: the copyright page states simply “FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1939”, with no subsequent printing noted, and the Guide to Pronunciation of Welsh Names is present at the rear.
An appealing original pre-war edition of a classic of 20th-century British literature.
⸻
Condition
Condition: Good – no dust jacket; see detailed notes below.
This is an original 1939 hardcover showing age and use consistent with an approximately 87-year-old book.
* Original red cloth boards remain present with fading, rubbing, marks and general shelf wear.
* Corners and spine extremities show age-related wear and some fraying.
* Original dust jacket is no longer present.
* Front endpaper bears an early previous owner’s handwritten name and date, appearing to read “H. Griffiths 13.5.40”.
* Internally, the 651 numbered pages are generally clean and present well for their age, with light age toning, occasional foxing/spotting and some isolated staining.
* More noticeable staining/marks are present around the preliminary copyright and dedication leaves, as photographed.
* There is wear and weakness around the front inner hinge/endpaper area; however, the text block remains intact.
* An inked/stamped number is present on the rear endpaper.
* Title and copyright pages remain present.
* Copyright page states “FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1939.”
* The Guide to Pronunciation of Welsh Names is present at the rear.
* No later printing statement is shown on the copyright page.
Despite the absence of its dust jacket and the age-related faults noted above, this remains a very presentable surviving example of the 1939 First Edition, First Impression, with a particularly respectable text block.
📸 The photos form part of the description – please examine them closely for condition.
⸻
Postage & Handling
📦 All items are carefully wrapped and packaged to ensure they arrive safely at their new forever home.
Combined postage available – contact us before purchasing for a revised invoice.
International shipping available on request – please message for a quote.
⸻
Need to Know More?
Have questions or need more photos? We’re happy to help! Just message us and we’ll get back to you promptly.
⸻
Other Info
🛍️ Check out our other items — we specialise in first and early edition books and are more than happy to bundle books to save on postage.
📲 Follow us @vintagehqcomau on socials and on eBay for more nostalgic finds and stories behind these unique or rare pieces.
