Koestler's masterpiece was due to be published at the height of the blitz; review copies had been sent out, and then the warehouse was destroyed. Too many books over the years, from that era having been described as, 'scarce due to enemy action'. This cape printing of Darkness at Noon, however, truly is. I have seen 5 examples in dust jacket in 30 years of looking. This is the best I have seen. Cyril Connolly included it in the list of 100 key books of the modern movement. His sagacity is indisputable. It remains an astounding piece of work. Bleak, distressing, brilliant.

First edition, first impression; 8vo; publisher's sand coloured cloth, titles to upper board and spine in red, with the dust jacket, one or two spots to the top edge, spine very gently rolled, but a particularly fresh copy in the nicked and very lightly rubbed dust jacket, just a little browned at the spine and with a degree of ghosting to the verso of the spine panel.