S. P. B. MAIS. (Henry Williamson interest). — Orange Street. A novel. (INSCRIBED)

Grant Richards Ltd., London, 1st Edition, Inscribed by Author(s), First Edition (first printing). A presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper: "J.W.Lister, Librarian of Home Library. A slight token of respect in return for an act of amazing kindness to a total stranger. D.d. S.P.B.Mais, May 1926". 8vo. 406pp. Orange cloth lettered in black at the spine and upper board, with a double blind-stamped border and ornate rule. Publisher's disclaimer slip tipped to the head of the first text leaf, as issued. Backstrip ends very gently bruised, and the top- and fore edge lightly spotted. Some fox-spotting throughout. A very good copy of the author's uncommon fourth novel. No dust wrapper. Mais' novel includes a thinly-veiled portrait of his old friend Henry Williamson, who appears as 'Brian Stucley', a poet living in North Devon and shares characteristics not dissimilar from some that Williamson's friends found so lamentable in himself. Nearly a decade later Williamson responded in kind, depicting Mais as 'Masterson Funicular Hengist Zeale' ( the only man in England who, having written nearly a hundred books, still has an adolescent enthusiasm for literature") in his 1935 novel 'Devon Holiday': an altogether less unkind portrait., Very Good, No Jacket