The author's scarce seventh novel

Richards, Grant ~ The Hasty Marriage : Inscribed by The Author At Publication : With The Scarce J.L. Carstairs Wrapper

Jonathan Cape, London : 1928

The First UK Printing published by Jonathan Cape, London in 1928. The BOOK is in Very Good++ or better condition. Original publisher's maroon boards titled in gilt. Some dustiness to the upper text-block. Mild offsetting to the blank end-papers. Binding remains tight. Light darkening to the board edges. The scarce WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good+ condition. Some light edge-wear with toning and fading of the colouring to the spine. Some mild darkening to the edges and folds with light age related markings in places. The J.L. Carstairs wrapper artwork looks striking in the removable Brodart archival cover. The book has been inscribed by the author to the title page on or around publication day : 'To Pauline (?) who did her share in the production of this book in perfectly horrid circumstances *, Grant Richards, 22. V111. 1928'. Further down the page, Grant Richards has written : '* No allusion to 1 Hare Court !'. The author's seventh novel : 'Terence Starrett is the son of the proprietor of an Oxford Street store. Just down from Oxford, he visits a Mediterranean resort, where he selects from among the bathing beauties an American girl, who, he thinks, on eugenic grounds, would make a good wife. He persuades her into a hasty marriage ; but she immediately deserts him and his incensed father stops his allowance. It is not until the girl's father arrives from America, and, learning that Starrett senior is about to be raised to the Peerage, offers to settle a million pounds on Terence if he is allowed to marry his daughter, that all ends happily. The story is farcical, and there is a pert vigour about Mr. Richards' cynicism, but there is a good deal of mere facetiousness too' (The Spectator 1 September 1928). Grant Richards was also a British publisher. After creating his own publishing firm at the age of just 24 years old, he launched The World's Classics series and published writers such as George Bernard Shaw, A. E. Housman, Samuel Butler and James Joyce. He made a significant impact on the publishing business of the early twentieth century and also wrote nine novels. Scarce with such attributes.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good++
JACKET: Very Good+