Black Mischief.

£1,250 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

signed limited edition Waugh's third novel, helped to establish his reputation as a master satirist. Set on the fictional African island of Azania, the novel chronicles the efforts of Emperor Seth, assisted by the Englishman Basil Seal, to modernise his kingdom, including the issue of home-made currency and the staging of a 'Birth Control Gala'. Written by Waugh whilst staying at Madresfield Court, Worcestershire as the guest of the Lygon sisters, who after 1931 had the run of the place (their father, William Lygon, 7th Earl Beauchamp, having been forced into exile under threat of prosecution for his homosexuality) and posed for some of the drawings Waugh drew for this limited edition. First edition, one of the limited issue, number 105 of 250 large paper copies signed by the author, large 8vo., plates and illustrations by the author not included in the trade edition. Publisher's purple silk, device to upper board and titles to spine gilt, top edge gilt, others uncut, with the silk marker ribbon intact (though frayed at very end. Spine faded as usual but an unusually nice copy.

• Binding: Hardcover

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