Born in Surat in 1892, Mahadev Desai served as a personal secretary to Mahatma Gandhi from 1917 to 1942. During these 25 years, he maintained a detailed chronicle of Gandhiji's daily activities in his diaries. In the words of Rajmohan Gandhi: "Waking up before Gandhi in pre-dawn darkness, and going to sleep long after his Master, Mahadev Desai lived Gandhi's day thrice over — first in an attempt to anticipate it, next in spending it alongside Gandhi, and finally in recording it into his diary".
Mahadev Desai's diaries offer a unique glimpse into the freedom movement and into the personal world of Mahatma Gandhi. In the words of the great anthropologist Verrier Elwin: "Gandhi as a politician is fully represented by his own speeches and statements. It was Mahadev's special privilege to be able to show the world the Mahatma off the stage and below the platform".
Published in 22 volumes during a long period of 50 years from 1948 to 1997, these diaries form a significant milestone in Gujarati literature.
We are now pleased to offer a selection of eight extremely rare First Editions of Mahadev Desai's diaries.
Numerous images of these precious rarities are attached herewith for the perusal of those interested.
Edited by: Narhari Parikh, Chandulal Dalal, Mahendra Desai
Preface by: Narayan Desai, Mohan Parikh, Mahendra Desai
Language: Gujarati
Publisher: Sabarmati Ashram Suraksha & Smarak Trust, 1964 to 1991 — Extremely Rare Original First Editions
Printed at: Suruchi Chhapshala, Bardoli
Format: Hardcover w/o dust jacket.
Size: 21.5 cm x 14.5 cm
Inscription: The name of the original owner is handwritten in the inner margin of the initial page in all the volumes.
The number of pages and the condition of each of these eight volumes are detailed below:
1] MAHADEVBHAI NI DIARY — VOLUME 6
Year of Publication: 1964
Pages: xviii + 476 = 494
Condition: Pre-owned. Very Good — Excellent. Original tight binding. Natural yellowing/foxing of the pages owing to age. Slight underlining of a few words and marginal marking in 6 pages only. Slight natural discoloration of the covers and shelf-wear to the corners/edges of the covers. The covers have been neatly wrapped in an acetate film for future protection.
2] MAHADEVBHAI NI DIARY — VOLUME 7
Year of Publication: 1965
Pages: xx + 439 = 459
Condition: Pre-owned. Very Good. Original tight binding. Natural yellowing/foxing of the pages owing to age. Small markings (tick marks) in the margins of 11 pages only. Natural discoloration of the covers owing to age and minor shelf-wear to the corners/edges of the covers. The covers have been neatly wrapped in an acetate film for future protection.
3] MAHADEVBHAI NI DIARY — VOLUME 8
Year of Publication: 1966
Pages: xiv + 504 = 518
Condition: Pre-owned. Very Good. Original tight binding. Natural yellowing/foxing of the pages owing to age. Underlining of some words and small marginal markings in 39 pages only. Natural discoloration of the covers owing to age and minor shelf-wear to the corners/edges of the covers. The covers have been neatly wrapped in an acetate film for future protection.
4] MAHADEVBHAI NI DIARY — VOLUME 9
Year of Publication: 1968
Pages: xiv + 311 = 325
Condition: Pre-owned. Excellent. Pages clean and unmarked. Original tight binding. Natural yellowing/foxing of the pages owing to age. Natural discoloration of the covers owing to age and minor shelf-wear to the corners/edges of the covers. The covers have been neatly wrapped in an acetate film for future protection.
5] MAHADEVBHAI NI DIARY — VOLUME 12
Year of Publication: 1973
Pages: xvi + 615 = 631
Condition: Pre-owned. Very Good. Original tight binding. Natural yellowing/foxing of the pages owing to age. Underlining of some words and small marginal markings in 41 pages only. Natural discoloration of the covers owing to age and minor shelf-wear to the corners/edges of the covers. The covers have been neatly wrapped in an acetate film for future protection.
6] MAHADEVBHAI NI DIARY — VOLUME 16
Year of Publication: 1979
Pages: x + 183 = 193
Condition: Pre-owned. Very Good. Original tight binding. Natural yellowing/foxing of the pages owing to age. Underlining of some words and small marginal markings in 10 pages only. Natural discoloration of the covers owing to age and minor shelf-wear to the corners/edges of the covers. The covers have been neatly wrapped in an acetate film for future protection.
7] MAHADEVBHAI NI DIARY — VOLUME 19
Year of Publication: 1988
Pages: xvi + 367 = 383
Condition: Pre-owned. Good. Original tight binding. Natural yellowing/foxing of the pages owing to age. Underlining of some words and small marginal markings in 17 pages only. Natural discoloration of the covers owing to age and minor shelf-wear to the corners/edges of the covers. Slight scuffing near the topside inner margin of the front cover (image attached). The covers have been neatly wrapped in an acetate film for future protection.
8] MAHADEVBHAI NI DIARY — VOLUME 20
Year of Publication: 1991
Pages: xvi + 320 = 336
Condition: Pre-owned. Very Good. Original tight binding. Natural yellowing/foxing of the pages owing to age. Underlining of some words and small marginal markings in 33 pages only. Natural discoloration of the covers owing to age and shelf-wear to the corners/edges of the covers. The covers have been neatly wrapped in an acetate film for future protection.
Total number of pages of all the eight volumes: 3,339 pages.
Remarks: The value of these particular books that we are offering lies in their utmost rarity for being the very First Editions published between 1964 and 1991 and printed in Bardoli. These rare First Editions have been sourced from a very well-maintained private collection and are extremely hard to find.
Please email us on kumarclassicbookpoint@gmail.com for cost and availability, or for any further queries in order to serve you better. Delivery in Mumbai is free.
