Eliot Crawshay-Williams — The Gutter and the Stars

London, Erskine MacDonald, 1918. First edition. Hardback. The signed first edition of a scarce anthology written by Welsh author and politician Eliot Crawshay-Williams, based on his experiences serving in Egypt and the Middle East. The signed first edition of the scarce poetic anthology The Gutters and the Stars, written and signed by Welsh author and Liberal politician Eliot Crawshay-Williams. Published by Erskine MacDonald in 1918, the final year of the First World War.In the publisher's original blue paper boards, with the author's signed inscription to the front free end paper.Crawshay-Williams's first book 'Across Persia' (1907) was written after an eight month expedition across the Persian gulf with the contemporary Viceroy of India Lord Curzon. During the First World War, he served in both Egypt and Palestine, and such forms the basis of much of his poetry within this particular anthology. He also writes of the beauty of Wales and the ever turbulent human condition. He would later write Grand Guignol one-act plays and the screenplay Service for Ladies (1932). In the publisher's original blue paper boards. Externally, minimal marks to boards, and fading to the spine, joints and title label to front board. A split to front joint, with slight lift to spine. A chip to the head of the spine. Two small punctures to the rear joint and signs of rubbing. Slight bumping to the extremities. End papers are generally bright and clean, with slight age toning and faint browning to leaf extremities. Poet's inscription to the front free end paper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean, with the rare small mark to leaf extremities. Rust mark left to top edge of first few leaves from paper clip. Good . Ill.: None. Good .