London: Methuen, 1914

8vo, pp. 316, 31 pp. catalogue dated 25 October 1913 bound in at rear. Original brown boards, lettered in blind to front panel, and in gilt to spine. Fading to gilt at spine, which has some spotting and bumping. Boards a little scuffed and marked. Smith's library label and stamped 6 to front pastedown, with corresponding offsetting and smudge to ffep. Front hinge tender. In all about very good.

First edition, first issue, with the catalogue at rear dated 27/10/13.

Wodehouse's first collection of short stories aimed at adults, all previously published in The Strand, Collier's and elsewhere -- including Alcala, the highly uncharacteristic, bittersweet tale of an almost love affair which, in his biography of Wodehouse, Robert McCrum argues convincingly was inspired by the possible sowing of Wodehouse's single wild oat, his unknowable relationship with the American stage and silent film actress, Alice Dovey.

A scarce Wodehouse title in any condition.