Black Mischief
Chapman & Hall, 1932.
First edition, large paper issue. Number 48 of 250 special copies on laid paper signed by the author with additional illustrations by the author. Original violet buckram with gilt titles to the spine and vignette to the upper cover in printed brown dustwrapper. Eight full page illustrations, none of which appear in the trade edition, plus one full page map. A near fine copy with a little fading to the spine, despite of the dustwrapper, though much less than is usually seen, and light foxing to the front endpaper, in a very good dustwrapper indeed, which just shows a little wear to the spine ends and upper corners. An exceptionally well preserved example.
The author's third novel, drawing on his experiences in Africa which as he reported in his travel journal, Ninety two Days, "experiences vivid enough to demand translation into literary form". Given the instant success of Waugh's first two novels, the critical response was lukewarm, and the novel became better known for its attack on the Catholic journal, The Tablet, and the heated response from The Tablet's Editor, Ernest Oldmeadow, who asserted that it was "a work both disgraceful and scandalous. It abounds in course and sometimes disgusting passages, and its climax is disgusting." Needless to say this did nothing to harm sales.
The limited edition is seldom encountered in its dustwrapper or in such nice condition.
Stock ID: 35419
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