Journey Without Maps
London, William Heinemann, 1936 (first edition).
Octavo, xii, 296 pages plus endpaper maps and 24 leaves of plates (from photographs; a total of 34 images).
Original yellow cloth, spine and rear cover stamped in brown; top edge brown; covers very slightly soiled and rubbed; spine slightly sunned; small bookseller's label on the front pastedown; frontispiece slightly cockled, and with one tiny tear at the foot (4 mm); stain affecting the bottom edges and a couple of leaves late in the volume (unobtrusive and confined to the gutter except on one opening); an excellent copy.
The suppressed first edition of Greene's first travel book. 'For four weeks in January and February 1935, Greene trekked 350 miles across Liberia in West Africa and kept a diary. His motives were mixed - an element of escape and adventure, and some investigation into the rumours of slavery in Liberia. "Journey Without Maps" was written after his return. To avoid the mere recital of an A to Z journey, Greene's account include many of his internal ruminations on the trek' (Wise and Hill: 'The Works of Graham Greene: A Reader's Bibliography and Guide', A6). 'The book was withdrawn 18 months after publication following a libel action by a Dr Oakley, who believed he had been portrayed in it as the drunken Pa Oakley' (ibid).
Item #113026
Price (AUD):
$1,500.00