presentation copy

Presentation copy of the author's first book, inscribed in blue ink on the front free endpaper: 'To John + Best wishes for 1957 Agus gac [sic] beannachtaí i gconaimuide [and every blessing at the same time] Brendan Behan 1-1-57'.

Set in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, 'The Quare Fellow,' who is never seen or heard, is condemned to die the following day for an unnamed crime.

First edition, first impression, inscribed by the author; 8vo; light spotting to prelims and endpapers, else unmarked internally; publisher's black cloth, gilt lettering to spine, with the unclipped pictorial dust-jacket, minor dust-soiling to rear panel, extremities rubbed, else very good.