London: Secker & Warburg, 1986

8vo, pp. 197. Original burgundy boards, lettered in gilt to spine. Illustrated dust jacket, artwork by Paul Cox, author's photographic portrait to rear flap. Age toning to text block, otherwise a fine copy in a fine dust jacket.

First edition of the author's first book, INSCRIBED TO HIS EDITOR JOHN BLACKWELL AHEAD OF PUBLICATION: 'For John Blackwell, with the very best wishes of the author D.J. Taylor. London 5.xi.85'. The first of twelve novels (so far) by the critic, literary historian, and George Orwell scholar.

John Blackwell [1937-1997] joined Secker and Warburg in the late 1960s, when the imprint was still an independent company run by Fredric Warburg himself. He was a constant presence through the company's innumerable corporate takeovers, mergers and changes of managing director. He was Tom Sharpe's editor, and was literary midwife to J. M. Coetzee, Michael Moorcock, John Banville, Tom McGuane, Malcolm Bradbury and Louis de Bernieres, among many others.

A fine copy, with an association to match.