This is a first edition copy of My World Is an Island by Elisabeth Ogilvie, published by Harcourt in 1951 with its original dust jacket intact. The memoir is Ogilvie's intimate account of her life and creative work on an island in Maine, USA — a cherished refuge that sustained her through the writing of over 40 novels. The work captures both the lyrical beauty of island living and the determination of a writer building her literary career in isolation and solitude.
Elisabeth Ogilvie is celebrated as the author of Rowan Head, High Tide at Noon, and many other beloved novels set along the Maine coast. This 1951 memoir remains a touchstone for collectors of American regional literature, Maine heritage publishing, and mid-century autobiography. First editions with original dust jackets are increasingly scarce as the decades accumulate.
Every item is photographed individually. The gallery shows the exact book for sale — the dust jacket front and spine, the book spine with publisher imprint, and the back cover detail of a complementary dust jacket for another Ogilvie title (Rowan Head, published by Harrap). You can judge the condition of the binding, the dust jacket colour, wear and toning, and the book's overall appeal from the images provided.
| Title | My World Is an Island |
| Author | Elisabeth Ogilvie |
| Publisher | Harcourt |
| Year of Publication | 1951 |
| Edition | First Edition |
| Format | Hardcover / Hardback |
| Dust Jacket | Yes — Original |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Autobiography & Memoir |
| Subject / Setting | Maine, USA / Island Life / Literary Biography |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Binding | Hardback — firm and intact |
| Condition Grade | Used – Good |
Used – Good. The dust jacket shows age-related toning and darkening to the blue cloth boards, particularly visible along the spine and lower edges, with light surface wear consistent with a book of this vintage. The book itself is structurally sound; the hardback binding is firm and intact. The pages are complete with no marked loss of legibility. The interior is clean with only minor age-related yellowing to the page edges. There are no written inscriptions, stamps or price stickers noted in the photos. This is a solid, readable and displayable copy of a genuinely scarce American memoir from the mid-twentieth century.
Q: Is this a true first edition, and is the dust jacket original?
A: Yes to both. This is the 1951 first edition published by Harcourt, and the dust jacket is original — the front, spine and back are consistent with the book's publication and have aged together naturally over seven decades.
Q: How readable is the book? Are there any stains, marks or missing pages?
A: The book is complete with all pages present and legible. There are no marked stains, water damage or missing passages. Minor age-related yellowing to the page edges is entirely consistent with a hardback of this age and origin. It is a sound reading copy.
Q: Who was Elisabeth Ogilvie and why is this book important?
A: Ogilvie was a prolific and respected American author known for her Maine-set novels including High Tide at Noon and Rowan Head. This memoir offers a rare insight into her personal life, her creative process and her deep attachment to island living. It is a valuable document of mid-century American literary life and Maine cultural heritage.
Q: What is the condition of the dust jacket in detail?
A: The dust jacket is intact and unfaded where it has been protected, but shows typical mid-century age toning — a gradual darkening of the blue cloth, lighter wear along the spine and edges, and some surface scuffing consistent with handling and storage. These marks are authentic patina, not damage. The jacket remains attached and legible.
Q: Is there an inscription or ex-libris inside?
A: No writing, dedication, library stamps or price stickers were noted in the photos or during examination. This appears to be a clean copy without prior ownership marks.
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Questions? We're happy to help. Send a message and we'll get back to you promptly. If you'd like additional close-up photos of the dust jacket damage, the spine detail, or any interior pages, just ask — we want you to buy with complete confidence.