Nicolas Bentley — Gammon and Espionage

London, The Cresset Press Ltd. 1938. First edition. Cloth. A humorous mystery novel by Nicolas Bentley, with illustrations throughout the text, in the scarce dust-wrapper. First edition, uncommon. In the scarce price-clipped dust wrapper.Illustrated by the author himself, with twenty-four full-page illustrations. 'Gammon and Espionage' is a humorous detective novel that was inspired by a work written by the author's father, E. C. Bentley. Described as a 'comprehensive satire of a book', Bentley plays with classic tropes such as red-herrings, thrilling cliff-hangers, and a general sense of mystery. Nicolas Bentley (1907-1978) was a British writer and illustrator. He drew an array of cartoons that were seen in magazines throughout the 1930s and 1940s, but is most well-known for his illustrations within T. S. Eliot's 'Old Possum's Books of Practical Cats&apos. Collated, complete. In the publisher's original cloth binding, in the price-clipped dust wrapper. Externally, excellent, with just a bit of fading to the margins, particularly to the top edge of boards. Dust wrapper is generally smart with a bit of discolouration and spotting to the wraps, including the reverse. Chipping to edges of wraps, particularly to the top edge as well to the bottom spine region. A few closed tears to wraps. Damp stain along spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Nicolas Bentley. Very Good Indeed/Good.