The bookseller Peter Harrington’s Evelyn Waugh catalog contains many desirable volumes, none more so than Graham Greene’s inscribed copy of Helena (£25,000). Note, however, the last sentence in PH’s description of the item:
First edition, first impression, large paper issue, being one of about 50 copies specially bound and printed on handmade paper. A major association copy with the author’s signed presentation inscription to the front free endpaper, “for Graham from Evelyn Oct 1st, 1950” With the estate label of Graham Greene to the front pastedown. On 16 November 1950 Waugh wrote to Greene thanking him “awfully for writing about Helena. I hardly hoped you would like it. I am exhilarant to hear you do…” The copy is, however, almost entirely unopened – only the last 50 pages are cut – suggesting that Greene merely read the ending and wrote his appraisal from that.
