Mountolive by Lawrence Durrell 1959 First US Edition Hardcover with Dust Jacket Alexandria Quartet

This 1959 first American edition of Mountolive by Lawrence Durrell is a hardcover copy with its original illustrated dust jacket.

The third novel in The Alexandria Quartet shifts the story toward British diplomat David Mountolive and the political and personal tensions surrounding his return to Egypt.

Details

• Item: Hardcover novel
• Title: Mountolive
• Author: Lawrence Durrell
• Publisher: E. P. Dutton and Co., Inc.
• Year: 1959
• Edition/Printing: First American edition
• Format: Hardcover
• Dust Jacket: Present
• Pages: 318
• Series: The Alexandria Quartet, third novel
• Binding: Black cloth boards with gold spine lettering
• Original Jacket Price: $3.95
• Library of Congress Card Number: 59-7793
• Size: Approximately 8 inches by 6 inches by 1 inch

Condition Grade: Good

Positives

• The pages are clean, legible, and securely held in the binding.
• The black cloth boards remain sound, with the gold spine lettering still visible.
• The original illustrated dust jacket is present and retains its strong blue color and front artwork.
• The first American edition statement is clearly printed on the copyright page.

Issues / Wear

• The dust jacket shows rubbing, scuffing, edge wear, creasing, and small chips and tears along the top and bottom edges.
• The jacket corners and spine ends are worn, with small areas of paper loss.
• The hardcover shows rubbing and cloth wear at the upper spine and board edges.
• The pages and page edges show age toning.

See all photos for detail. Sold as pictured.

Condition Grade Key

• Near Fine: Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.
• Very Good: Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.
• Good: Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.
• Fair: Shows significant wear. Readable or usable but clearly used.

Collector's Notes

Mountolive is the third book in Durrell's Alexandria Quartet and changes the series viewpoint by moving into a third person narrative.

This copy suits a Lawrence Durrell reader or someone filling a gap in an Alexandria Quartet collection.

The first American edition statement and original Dutton jacket are both still present.

The jacket has wear, but it gives this copy the period shelf presence many readers are looking for.

Shipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)

1. Photo-verified condition (no surprises)
   
2. Packed with our protective packaging standard
   
3. Ships in 1 business day
4. Free Shipping on $35+ (U.S. only)

Disclaimer

All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description. 

Care and Handling:
Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings.