London: Secker & Warburg, 1956

8vo, pp. 359. Original black boards, lettered in silver to spine. Printed dustwrapper. Last page almost detached, otherwise a very good copy in a very good dustwrapper, a little rubbed and dusty, with some chipping and wear to corners and spine ends.

First edition, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR IN THE YEAR OF PUBLICATION TO HIS LIFELONG FRIEND NEVILL COGHILL: 'To Nevill Coghill, with affection -- and apologies for the absence of an errata-slip, -- though, alas, no errata-slip could correct all the faults in this story! from, Clifford H.B. Kitchin June 1956'.

Known (if he's known today at all) as the author of the four Malcolm Warren detective stories, the openly homosexual C.H.B. Kitchin [1895-1967] also wrote a number of novels with explicitly gay themes. This late title is dedicated to Kitchin's friend Leslie (L.P.) Hartley, who once described Kitchin -- who as well as a writer, was a barrister, stockbroker, greyhound breeder, furniture expert, and gifted chess player, bridge player and pianist -- as 'the most talented man I have ever met'.

Kitchin's met English literary scholar Nevill Coghill when they studied together at Exeter College, Oxford. The two became lifelong friends.

A very good copy, with an excellent association.