O’Leary, Con ~ This Delicate Creature : With The Scarce Wrapper By Edward Ardizzone
Constable, London : 1928
The First UK printing published by Constable, London in 1928. The BOOK is in near Fine condition in the original variant binding of terracotta cloth, upper board and spine lettered in black. Some faint spotting to the edges and prelims. Free from inscriptions and erasures. The fragile WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good++ or better condition. Some light markings and slight edge-wear. The wrapper is protected in a removable archival protector and carries a striking period design signed with the initials 'EJIA'. These initials must be those of Edward Jeffrey Irving Ardizzone and this wrapper artwork must have been one of his earliest commissions. Born in Ireland, this is O'Leary's best known work, a science fiction novel in which 'a woman is given a drug that induces a range of Identity Transfer experiences, including life as a mouse and as her own betrayed husband ' (Science Fiction Encyclopaedia, online). A very scarce survivor.
BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine
JACKET: Very Good++
£395