Description

One of 100 copied signed by the author (Number 11th), 2 colour illustrations by Rex Whistler, light spotting to endpapers, original claret sheep lettered in gilt with design after Whistler to upper cover, rubbed, small chip to head of spine, faded, 8vo.

Waugh was commissioned to write a piece on wine by H.H. Prince Vsevolode of Russia (the dedicatee of the work) to promote the wine merchant Saccone & Speed, of which Vsevolode was then managing director. Coming so soon after the success of Brideshead and the increased revenues this brought (see lot 44), Waugh knew that any income was now likely to be taxed at 80%. He therefore arranged to be paid at the rate of 12 bottles of champagne per 1,000 words.