Rare 1st Edition Patrick O’Brian: POST CAPTAIN 1972 - Unclipped,near fine

"A Superior First Edition Copy – Notable for Exceptional Spine Vibrancy"

This is a true UK First Edition, First Printing of Post Captain (Collins, 1972). While many copies of this title suffered from severe environmental fading, this example is a collector’s outlier, retaining the deep, original blue/teal pigment on the spine that is notoriously "fugitive" and usually found heavily sun-bleached.

Technical Highlights for the Collector:Dust Jacket: Near Fine and Unclipped (retaining the original £1.80 net price). The wrap-around Geoff Dell'Orco artwork is crisp and bright.State: This is the standard first state of the first impression. While it does not contain the "Thisde" typographical error found in the earliest trial state, it is a 100% confirmed 1972 first printing in remarkable investment-grade condition.

Internals: Exceptionally clean. No previous owner inscriptions, stamps, or bookplates—a "pure" copy.

Why this copy? For the Aubrey-Maturin completist, the condition of the jacket spine is the single most important factor in the book's long-term value. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a copy that presents as it did on the day of release in 1972.