Reuben Ship — The Investigator

London, Sidgwick and Jackson, 1956. First edition. Cloth. A proof copy and first edition of the best known work of Reuben Ship, a satirical look at American politics in the 1950s. The scarce proof copy, alongside the first edition.In the original unclipped dust wrapper.'The Investigator' is the novelisation of Reuben Ship's 1954 radio play, which lampooned the actions of Joseph McCarthy, the U.S. House Committee on Un-American Activities, and the anti-communists Second Red Scare.Each volume is illustrated with a frontispiece and in-text illustrations by the noted cartoonist Ronald Searle.Ship was a Canadian playwright, best known for this work. In the original publisher's cloth binding, in the original unclipped dust wrapper, proof copy is in the original paper wraps. Externally, smart. Light marks and discolouration to the proof, and minor creasing to the spine. A small amount of loss of cloth to the top edge of the rear board. Very light edge wear to the dust wrapper, with a small closed tear to the head of the rear joint. Spine of the dust wrapper is age-toned. A few light handling marks to the dust wrapper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Near Fine . Ill.: Ronald Searle. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed.