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This is a vintage 1970s Penguin Modern Classics paperback edition of Howards End, E. M. Forster's masterwork of Edwardian England first published in 1910. The novel explores questions of class, culture, inheritance, and connection — its famous epigraph, "Only connect," remains one of the most quoted phrases in English literary fiction. The cover price of 80p and the classic black Penguin Modern Classics design place this squarely in the 1970s print run.
This edition is edited and introduced by Oliver Stallybrass, whose scholarly notes and introduction place the novel in its full historical and biographical context. Also included is Forster's own account of Rooksnest, his childhood home and the real-life model for Howards End — a rare personal document that deepens the reader's understanding of the novel's emotional core.
Ideal for fans returning to Forster, students studying Edwardian or twentieth-century English literature, and collectors of vintage Penguin Modern Classics paperbacks. The Tate Gallery cover artwork — a detail from Interior by Edward Le Bas — makes this a particularly handsome example of the series.
| Title | Howards End |
| Author | E. M. Forster |
| Editor | Oliver Stallybrass |
| Publisher | Penguin Books |
| Series | Penguin Modern Classics |
| Format | Paperback |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 352 |
| ISBN | 0 14 00.0311 8 |
| Original Publication | 1910 |
| This Edition Era | 1970s |
| Cover Price | 80p |
| Cover Art | Interior by Edward Le Bas (Tate Gallery) |
| Genre | Literary Fiction / Classic Fiction |
| Subject | Edwardian England, Social Class, English Literature |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
| Vintage | Yes |
Used — Good. A sound, honest copy suitable for reading or collecting.
The cover shows noticeable age-related wear: rubbing and scuffing to the edges and corners, some light creasing and minor surface marks to the front and rear panels. There is a bookseller price sticker (OBrien, 88p) to the rear cover. The spine is intact and the title remains clearly legible.
Internally, all 352 pages are present and complete. The text is fully readable throughout. Pages show clear age-tanning and yellowing consistent with a 1970s paperback, with occasional light foxing spots and very minor marks. No missing pages and no heavy annotations noted.
Q: Is this a genuine 1970s Penguin Modern Classics printing?
A: Yes. The original cover price of 80p printed to the rear, the ISBN format, and the classic black Penguin Modern Classics cover design all confirm this is an authentic 1970s UK printing — not a modern reprint.
Q: Are all the pages present and is the text readable?
A: Yes. All 352 pages are present and complete. Despite the age-related tanning and yellowing typical of paperbacks of this era, the text is clear and fully readable throughout. There are no torn, missing, or heavily marked pages.
Q: What scholarly content does this edition include beyond the novel itself?
A: This edition features an introduction and notes by Oliver Stallybrass, a leading Forster scholar. It also includes Forster's own account of Rooksnest, his childhood home in Hertfordshire, which directly inspired the house at the centre of the novel — a valuable addition for students and enthusiasts alike.
Q: Is the bookseller sticker removable, and does it cause any damage?
A: The OBrien price sticker is present on the rear cover. Stickers of this age can sometimes be stubborn; we would not recommend attempting to remove it, as doing so risks marking the cover. It does not affect the text or the readability of the rear cover blurb.
Q: Can I see more detail of the cover wear or the internal pages?
A: Absolutely — please message us and we will send additional photographs of any specific area, including close-ups of the spine, rear cover sticker, or a sample of the internal pages, before you commit to buying.
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Any questions at all? Please send a message — we're happy to help. If you'd like further photographs before purchasing, just ask: we can provide close-ups of the spine, the rear cover sticker, the front cover wear, or a spread of the internal pages. We want you to feel completely confident before you buy.