association copy - with autograph poem

A superb association copy of this short story collection, inscribed by the author in black ink to the front free endpaper: 'John Drinkwater's copy - the one I would have given him had I been in England, and which he, being in England, foolishly bought. Max Beerbohm', and with a humorous poem by him about their mutual friend William Rothenstein titled 'Lines on a Certain Friend's Great Talent for Swift Philosophical Generalisation'. Rothenstein was the model for the central character in the eponymous first story of the present work, Enoch Soames.

First edition, inscribed by the author, with autograph poem; 8vo; autograph poem initialled by Beerbohm to Drinkwater laid onto front pastedown, ink ownership inscription of Drinkwater to front free endpaper (with his initialled pencil comments below) and his morocco book label to front pastedown, light browning to text block; original green cloth, titles to spine and upper cover gilt, titles to spine slightly dulled, faint ring marks to upper cover, spine darkened, slight fraying to spine tips and corners, extremities rubbed; housed in red morocco drop-back box.