Dame Edna’s Book Sale

The Daily Mail has reported the upcoming auction sale of the book collection of the late comedian Barry Humphries (aka Dame Edna Everage). The most interesting item (Lot 235) among the three lots offered relating to Evelyn Waugh is this collection of four large paper reprint volumes of his early work:

Decline and Fall [&] Viles Bodies [&] A Handful of Dust [&] Black Mischief, together 4 vol., each number 3 of 12 large-paper copies signed and numbered by the author, contemporary blue morocco, spines a little darkened, t.e.g., others uncut, Chapman and Hall, 1937; and a copy of the Glen Horowitz catalogue for the Library of Michael M. Thomas, housed in calf-backed drop-back box to almost match the set, large 8vo (5)

⁂ A superb set of this rare limited edition, likely the only such set to exist.

Waugh requested this series to be printed in conjunction with the third, reset, trade editions. Most copies were presented individually to close friends and family, however this set was presented, in its entirety, to Thomas Balston, director of the publishers Duckworth and Co. who had given the young Evelyn his first break in the literary world, when he gave him a £50 advance for his biography of Rossetti. [Emphasis supplied]

Also for sale is a presentation copy of The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold (Lot 236):

The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold, first edition, one of c.50 large-paper copies, signed presentation inscription from the author to “Andrew & Debo [Cavendish] with love from Evelyn. July 19. 1957” to front free endpaper, bookplate of Deborah Devonshire to front pastedown, original red cloth, slight fading to spine, spine tips a trifle bumped, large 8vo, 1957.

⁂ One of an unspecified number of large-paper copies that Waugh kept for private distribution. Andrew and Deborah Cavendish, later the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, were friends and drinking companions of Waugh’s. Andrew Cavendish was a member Waugh’s gentlemen’s club, White’s . [Emphasis supplied.]

Deborah Cavendish may be better known to Waugh’s readers under her maiden name of Deborah Mitford, sister of the more famous Nancy.

For more information about these and other bookish items of the Barry Humphries estate here is a link to the catalogue. The sale is scheduled for 26 March in London at 1:00pm. I believe that internet participation is possible.