Arthur Young, Travels in France & Italy, 1942 Everyman’s Library

Travels in France and Italy During the Years 1787–89

Everyman’s Library No. 720

J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd., London / E. P. Dutton & Co., New York

1942 reprint

Decorated by Eric Ravilious

A particularly appealing wartime edition of Arthur Young’s classic account of his travels through France and Italy in the years immediately surrounding the French Revolution.

First published in the Everyman’s Library series in 1915, this copy is the 1942 wartime reprint and retains its scarce illustrated dust jacket. Both the book and jacket feature decorative work by celebrated British artist and designer Eric Ravilious, whose initials “ER” can be seen within the distinctive design on the front jacket.

The copyright page identifies the book as “Last reprinted 1942” and carries the Book Production War Economy Standard emblem and statement, documenting its production under British wartime publishing restrictions.

Arthur Young traveled extensively through France between 1787 and 1789, recording observations on agriculture, economics, society, transportation and everyday life during one of the most consequential periods in European history. His firsthand observations have made his writings an enduring historical source for France on the eve of the Revolution.

Published as No. 720 in Everyman’s Library, this compact edition is bound in green cloth with attractive patterned endpapers.

Condition: Very Good book in a Good dust jacket. The green cloth binding remains attractive and the binding appears sound. Interior pages show occasional light age spotting and foxing consistent with the book's age and wartime production. The original dust jacket remains substantially complete but shows considerable edge wear, including chipping, short tears and areas of loss, particularly around the head of the spine and corners. Some toning and spotting are present. The jacket is now protected in a clear archival cover.