J O N K E R S R A R E B O O K S
P R E S E N T A T I O N C O P I E S & M A N U S C R I P T S
MITFORD TO TONY GANDARILLAS 49. MITFORD, Nancy THE PURSUIT OF LOVE Hamish Hamilton, 1945.
First edition. Original blue cloth titled in gilt, in pictorial dustwrapper by Furze. Au- thor’s presentation copy, inscribed on the title-page to Tony Gandarillas, “Tony whom I pursue in vain with love from Nancy, 12 Dec 1945”. A very good copy, with the final page of text forming the rear pastedown, a variant possibly accounted for by wartime economies in printing or it being a trial or proof copy. The dustwrapper is in very good condition, uncommonly bright with a touch of wear to the edges. [39647] £3,500 Tony Gandarillas, a Chilean diplomat and playboy, was the foremost of the South American emi- gres in the Parisian beau monde between the wars. Extremely well connected Gandarillas was indefatigable partygoer and bon viveur, with a love of food, drink, opium, gambling and young men. He was for some time the partner of Christopher Wood, who he installed in his Paris apart- ment in the 1920’s. Gandarillas became a great friend of Mitford’s, playing host to her at his villas in Hyeres. The jokey inscription from Mitford clearly a reference to Gandarillas’s sexuality. The Pursuit of Love is the first part of Mitford’s popular trilogy about family life between the wars and is the book responsible for establishing Mitford as a literary force. Presentation copies of this novel are uncommon. Of the three we have encountered all are dated 12 December, two days after publication, suggesting they were author’s copies to be distributed to close friends.
MILNE TO JOHN MACRAE - ONE OF 20 INSCRIBED IN VERSE 48. MILNE, A.A. NOW WE ARE SIX With Decorations by Ernest H. Shepard Methuen & Co., 1927. First edition. Number 14 of 20 copies of a special deluxe, large paper edition, printed on japon and bound in vellum with yapp edges, signed by both Milne and Shepard. Lettered in gilt on the upper cover. Author’s presentation copy, inscribed to his Amer- ican publisher, John Macrae, signed and dated Jan. 1928. “A gallant Knight is John Macrae - / He takes me on his pillion, / And round and round the U.S.A. / He dashes on his headstrong way,/ Until there dawns the glorious day / When he can sheath his sword and say, / ‘Well, NowWe Are Six Million.’” Illustrated throughout by Ernest H. Shepard. A near fine copy, very slightly bowed. [40053] £35,000 The most luxurious and exclusive format in which Milne’s Pooh books were issued. Naturally, scarce by dint of its small limitation, it is exceptionally rare as a presentation copy. We know of only one other, (no. 3 inscribed to Vincent Seligman).
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