The dedication copy. With the author’s characteristically fine calligraphic inscription on the front free endpaper “For the best of mothers to whom this book is dedicated this copy is inscribed by her affectionate & grateful son the author. May 16 1933.” In Julian Symons’ fine biography of his brother, their mother’s personality is somewhat shadowed behind their larger than life and rackety father, although Julian hints that the mother was more supportive of AJ’s aesthetic interests than the father, who refused to have the works of Oscar Wilde in their home (despite the fact that AJ bought it at the father’s own auction house).
Heavy lean to text block, dust jacket rather edge worn with substantial loss to foot of spine panel.
