London: Chatto & Windus, 1979

Small 8vo, pp. 216. Original red boards, lettered in gilt to spine. Illustrated dustwrapper. A near fine copy in a near fine dustwrapper, the (white) rear panel just a little marked, and with some very light edgewear to top edge.

First edition and review copy of Ayckbourn's second book, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR TO RADIO HOST AND BLOCKBUSTERS LEGEND, BOB HOLNESS: 'To Bob, with all good wishes, Alan Ayckbourn'. Publisher's TLS, 19 February 1979, laid in, supplying the book ahead of Ayckbourn's appearance.

From 1975 to 1985, Bob Holness co-presented a morning radio show on London's LBC, and over the years amassed a large collection of inscribed copies of books plugged by their authors on the show. Ayckbourn was on the show early in 1979 to publicise the West End opening of his latest play, Joking Apart, in March that year.

A lovely copy, with an association to match.