John Mortimer — Charade

London, The Bodley Head, 1947. First edition. Cloth. The first edition of Mortimer"s first novel inspired by his Crown Film Unit experience, complete with the original unclipped dust wrapper and a signed presentation card from the author. In the publisher's original yellow cloth binding. First edition. Complete with the original unclipped dust wrapper. With a signed presentation inscription card from the author loosely inserted. Set in June 1944 at an English seaside resort, the novel follows a shy recruit attached to an army film unit who begins to suspect foul play after a sergeant falls to his death during a training exercise. The story draws on Mortimer"s own experience working with the Crown Film Unit during the war.A novel by John Mortimer (1923-2009), best known as the creator of Rumpole of the Bailey. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Very minor bumping to extremities. Signed presentation inscription card from the author loosely inserted. Very minor offsetting to rear endpapers, with very slight cockling to fore edge of rear free endpaper. Dust wrapper, very smart. Slight edge wear to extremities. The odd small closed tear and chip have been skilfully repaired archivally, with previous loss to the upper portion of the front wrap now virtually untraceable, save for a faint trace of tear marks to the inner side of the wrap. Discreet Book Society Reccomendation stamp to front flap. Slight sunning and one or two spots. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean, if slightly age toned. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed/Very Good Indeed.