Max Beerbohm — The Happy Hypocrite

New York and London, John Lane the Bodley Head, 1897. First edition. Paperback. The first edition in book form of this comical reimagining of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Max Beerbohm. The first edition in book form.In a smart custom cloth chemise, in a fine condition.'The Happy Hypocrite' is the story of a man who deceives a woman with a mask in order to marry her, being a lighter and more humorous version of Oscar Wilde's classic tale of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray&apos.This tale had originally been published in Volume XI of 'The Yellow Book' in October 1896, this publication in book form being part of the series of 'Bodley Booklets&apos.Written by Max Beerbohm, an important parodist, caricaturist, and drama critic, who was friends with Oscar Wilde. In the original publisher's paper wraps, in a custom cloth chemise. Externally, generally smart, wraps are a little edge worn, with a few small chips and closed tears. Light handling marks to the wraps. Textblock is detached from the binding. Internally, generally firmly bound. Pages are bright, with a few scattered spots. Chemise is very smart, in a fine condition. Good Only . Ill.: None. Good Only .