presentation copy

A remarkable association copy with the author's flamboyant presentation inscription to the front free endpaper, 'for William Grant Sherry with best wishes from Edward James Laguna, September 1943'. Beneath the inscriptions are three very accomplished pencil portraits of the author by Sherry who was a notable portrait artist. He was also Bette Davies' third husband.

First edition, first impression, author's presentation copy, with pencil portraits of James by the recipient; large 4to; publisher's natural linen-backed pink cloth, titles to upper boar and spine gilt; with the pictorial dust jacket and contemporary marbled paper slip case; some traces of paper removal from both paste downs but a superb copy in the nicked dust jacket.