Two copies, both first editions, both in original blue cloth with (supplied) pictorial dustwrappers. Both presentation copies, inscribed by the author to Anthony Powell. The first, in blue biro, in a scrawling hand, "For Tony, the host of Bats with deep respect from Evelyn" with a half page caricature drawing by the author, of a woman with curly hair and a veil and a man (self portrait?) in evening dress.The second copy is inscribed, conservatively and somewhat sheepishly, "Dear Tony, I am conscious of having abused your hospitality by defacing a copy of this story. I accordingly inscribe this with simple esteem & gratitude. Evelyn Earth Tuesday 1955."Both books with Powell's bookplate to the front pastedowns. Both copies near fine with slightly dulled spine lettering in very good dustwrappers indeed.

An exceptional association linking two of the great novelists of the twentieth century.
"Although two years behind him at Oxford, Powell had seen just enough of Waugh to recognise that he was bound to make his mark in the world somehow. They met again in 1927... Powell warmed to Waugh, whose self confidence had not been dented by the many setbacks he had experienced since leaving Oxford." (Michael Barber - Anthony Powell A Life)
It was through his friendship with Powell, that Waugh found his first publisher in Duckworth where Powell worked at the time. Duckworth famously declined to publish Waugh's first novel, Decline & Fall, but remained Waugh's publishers choice for his travel writings. The break up of Waugh's marriage involving Powell's raffish friend John Heygate caused relations between Waugh and Powell to temporarily cool, but both kept up a regular correspondence and common interests saw to it that their lives intertwined for the remainder of Waugh's life. In particular, a mutual support, born of respect for each other's work, remained constant between the two. Upon Waugh's death in 1966, Powell wrote, "his going means that a chunk of my own life has gone too."

PROVENANCE: From the library of Anthony Powell, bookplate on pastedown.

Stock ID: 34118