London: Allen Lane, 1983

8vo, pp. 206. Original black boards, lettered in gilt to spine. Photographic dustwrapper, author's portrait to front panel. Text edges a little marked and dusty, small rust mark left by a paper clip to front pastedown, but a near fine copy in a near fine dustwrapper with minimal edgewear.

First edition, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR TO LEO AND JANE McKERN: ' To Leo & Jane, with love from John (to read on a well deserved holiday!).

Between 1978 and 1992, John Mortimer and Leo McKern collaborated on seven series of the television show Rumpole of the Bailey, adapted by Mortimer from his own books, and starring McKern in the title role. Although the show was a huge success, relations between its star and writer were often strained. McKern was frequently troubled by the growing realisation that he was going to be remembered for playing Rumpole on ITV rather than Iago at the RSC; Mortimer, while grateful to McKern for Rumpole's success, knew his star felt this way, and was understandably displeased. Despite these underlying tensions, relations remained cordial -- as evidenced by this volume, inscribed by Mortimer to McKern at the height of Rumpole's success.

A lovely copy, with an association to match.

<font style=font-size: 10px;">Keywords: John MORTIMER Leo McKERN</font>"