Heaney Poetry Appraisal

Storm on the Island Book

This item is an antique or vintage hardcover book titled "Storm on the Island." The book's cover is a light, muted green cloth, likely linen or buckram, which has faded and discolored over time, indicating significant age. The title "STORM ON THE ISLAND" is printed in a bold, irregular, hand-drawn-style black font across the top half of the front cover. Below the title, there is a black ink illustration depicting a small, rudimentary wooden shack or cabin with two windows and a door, situated on a barren landscape, possibly a hillside or dune. The trees behind the shack appear to be bent by strong winds, suggesting the 'storm' mentioned in the title. A small figure, possibly a child or a woman, stands looking away from the viewer, in front of the shack. The book shows considerable signs of wear and age. The corners are significantly bumped and scuffed, with the green cloth material worn away to expose the underlying board, particularly noticeable on the bottom left corner where a triangular section of the corner is completely missing. The spine also exhibits wear, with fraying and discoloration along the edges, and it appears to be slightly detached from the text block at the top, though the full extent is not visible. There are several circular or oval-shaped stain marks visible on the front cover, likely from water or other liquid spills, particularly around the title and illustration. The overall condition suggests that the book has been well-used and handled over many years. Without a view of the spine or copyright page, dating is approximate, but the style of illustration, typography, and binding type suggest a publication date possibly from the early to mid-20th century. The craftsmanship is typical of children's or adventure books from that era, with a sturdy, cloth-bound construction designed for durability.