English Novel Appraisal

The Inheritor by J. D. Beresford

This item is an open book displaying its title page. The paper appears to be an aged, light tan or cream color, indicating its vintage nature. The text is printed in black ink, featuring a clear, classic serif typeface. The title, 'THE INHERITOR', is prominently displayed at the top, followed by 'By' and the author's name, 'J. D. BERESFORD'. Below the author's name, a small, intricate line drawing illustrating a figure, possibly a person or a mythical creature, riding an animal such as a horse or goat is centered between two horizontal lines, acting as a decorative element or publisher's colophon. Further down the page, there is a quoted passage: "... the meek ... shall inherit the earth." attributed to "St. Matthew, v.5.", indicating a possible religious or moral theme within the book. At the bottom of the page, the publisher is identified as 'LONDON ERNEST BENN LIMITED'. The visible binding on the left edge shows a dark, possibly maroon or brown, material, suggesting a hardcover construction. The slight discoloration and gentle creasing visible on the page edges and near the spine indicate natural aging and handling. There are no major tears, stains, or other significant damages immediately visible, suggesting the book is in fair to good condition for its age. The overall aesthetic points to a publication from the early-to-mid 20th century, consistent with the style of publishing houses like Ernest Benn. The craftsmanship appears standard for a commercially produced book of that era, with attention paid to clear typography and a balanced layout.