The Prussian Officer and Other Stories [First Issue] by LAWRENCE, D. H. [David Herbert, 1885-1930] - 1914

London: Duckworth, 1914. First Edition. Original Cloth. Fine. First or Second Issue (bibliographers disagree, but note MacDonald: "A [third or] later issue], in somewhat lighter blue cloth, lettered in black, must not be confused with either [first or second issues]). Crown 8vo: 310,[2],20(publisher's catalog)pp. Publisher's navy blue cloth, spine and upper cover stamped in gilt; attractive bespoke book plate to front paste-down. Roberts records three variants, of which this is the first issue (20pp publisher's catalog); MacDonald gives priority to the issue with 16-page catalog. We have both in Fine condition on offer, so the choice is yours, but, in the absence of corroborating evidence, we frankly believe that determining an edition's issue by undated publisher's catalogs alone is a dicey business, at best. Fine, square, tight, with undiminished gilt. MacDonald B16. Roberts A6. NCBEL IV, 482. Lawrence's first collection of stories, twelve pieces previously published in various literary magazines (English Review, Smart Set, Pearsons, and Forum, among others). The stories are: "The Prussian Officer," "The Thorn in the Flesh," "Daughters of the Vicar," "A Fragment of Stained Glass," "The Shades of Spring," "Second Best," "The Shadow in the Rose Garden," "Goose Fair," "The White Stocking," "A Sick Collier," "The Christening," and "Odour of Chrysanthemums." In the title story, a classic tale of sexual repression and tension that, when released, explodes into maddened violence, Lawrence examines the psychology of two men, a captain and his orderly, both German soldiers. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed.