The BOOKMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1009, 27 June 1930, Page 16

The BOOKMAN

& Notes^V

FIRST EDITIONS Investments In Modern Books The following article on modern first editions loritten by G. J. Scott Moncrieff is reprinted from the “Spectutor The present frequency with which first editions are sold out within a few days of publication indicates an increasingly large number of collectors of—and speculators in—modern books. Certain authors are taken for granted as being safe investments: Walter de la Mare is a typical example, and there must be hundreds throughout the country who avidly buy his “firsts” as the aprear. A younger poet

who has attracted remarkably little attention from collectors as yet is Roy Campbell. His third book of verse “Adamastor,” has just appeared. “Firsts” are still obtainable at the published price of five shillings; they are a certain investment, for Campbell is considered by many to be one of the finest of living English poets. Among the novelists there is a boom in Wells at present. But here, as ever, it is the earlier volumes that should be bought; when “The Time Machine” was printed Wells was unknown and doubtless the print was a small one. The Wells boom is on the rise, but the phenomenal Galsworthy boom reached its peak last year and prices have slumped alarmingly. Copies o! “A Man of Property” are now to be bought for £55 that last year fetched about double that sum. There has been a slump in Shaviana recently, but this is the direct result of the financial crisis in America and prices will go up again in time. Individual judgment of merit must, of course, largely be applied when buying “firsts.” Hardy is a safe purchase; his merits are generally recognised. Barrie is being bought and Baring also; but both are rather doubtful investments. Stevenson fetches high prices and these are unlikely to fluctuate much; tending on the whole to rise a little. George Moore is now being collected; his greatness is undoubted and his "firsts” make safe purchases; his last novel is to appear shortly and should be bought. D- H. Lawrence has, since his death, appreciated rapidly and in the next two years is likely to appreciate a. further 100 per cent, on prices ruling to-day. Siegfried Sassoon's “Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man” is already, ■within two years of publication, fetching £5 a copy. This work is to be the first of a trilogy: “Memoirs of a Subaltern” comes out this summer. Both it and the third volume are certain of Immediate appreciation. Interest is beginning to be shown in Thornton Wilder. There will, however, be little demand for the first English editions in America, where, of course his books appeared. It is not generally realised that quite a large number of books have “double" first editions, i.e., a printer’s error being noticed before the edition is entirely printed off. the slip has been corrected, so making the later impressions different from the earlier. Galsworthy's “Modern Comedy” is oue example of this and Priestly’s “Good Companions” another. ‘Firsts ’ of the “Good Companions” now fetch £3, and | ten shillings more if uncorrected. Of greater Intrinsic interest is Robert Graves's "Good-bye to All That. The first printing of this contained a war poem of Sassoon’s. Only a few copies were circulated and the copies containing the poem are now fetching lrom five to six pounds. Ernest Powys is a writer who wiu always have a certain following. His “firsts” have not yet attracted much attention and can be picked up quite cheaply. Joseph Conrad Is so undoubtedly a great writer that first editions of his works, also quite cheap at present, should be bought. In buying new “firsts** it must a.l* v, avs be borne in mind that nowadays, ■with so man'’ on th ' alert clean and with the original dustwrapper. Is uaoeniial to ----- ~-si reselling. There are quite a number oi books resold that have never been read. This at once brings quips to the «vnic’s tongue. Since, however, collecting is almost instinctive to the human race, and book-collecting is a form in which good judgment means good speculation, his quips count for little. Moreover, the collecting of modern books augments the authors Income, and authorship is a poorly paid profession. And, finally, it has been the direct cause of much beautiful printing and book-production.

in a novel of such dimensions, in which the same characters move through successive books, one is admitted to intimate contac ts that would be impossible in a smaller work and Proust had the facility of presenting photographic detail in a singularly vivid way. There is about all his work a deliberation; the deliberation of one of our tuatara lizards sunning itself on a log. He will occupy one of his famous long sentences In telling us about “the hiccough of a hotwater pipe” which may have provided an obbligato to some phase of the courtship of Albertine; half a page to the rite of drinking a morning cup of chocolate and any number of pages to the mental reactions following any given physical experience. But as one progresses with Proust so one develops an affection for him and his princesses, duchesses and counts — members of the Guermantes set who move, slow and stately, through book after book. One finds oneself intrigued with the amazing M.Charlus (he is merely “heard off stage,” as it were, in the seventh book) and undoubtedly fascinated by the strange and exotic Albertine who dies very early in “The Sweet Cheat Gone,” but the regrets for whom permeate the rest of the book. The admirers of Proust, and the number is ever growing, will find much to delight them in this new volume with its many perfect little cameos, its delicate etchings and occasional flashes of bravura. And as before one marvels at Mr. Scott Moucrieff’s skill. “A La Recherche du Temps Perdu” must represent the very high-water mark of the translator’s art. “The Sweet Cheat Gone” (“Albertine Disparue”). Alfred A. Knopf Limited, London. Our copy from the publishers direct. AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND SNIPPETS. FOUR years have passed since Beverley Nichols published his lively autobiography “Twenty Five.” It was a book that had instant popularity, and it deserved all the applause and condemnation that it got. There was something just a little callow and irreverent about It; but it was, nevertheless, sprightly and entertaining. Now it has been reprinted in the Travellers’ Library, and inclusion in this popular series will win it still more friends. Mr Nichols might not write now in the same strain as he wrote four years ago; but part of the book’s charm is its glib impertinence and lack of reverence. Among the celebrated people who received the attention of the author are the late Robert Bridges, Horatio Bottomley, Winston Churchill, G. K- Chesterton, Lady Oxford —then Margot Asquith—European Royalty, and many others. Mr Nichols had travelled far in his 25 years, and he had seen much. The material he gathered at Oxford, and on his journeyings makes interesting reading. There must be many who find Samuel Butler’s “Note Books” among their favourite volumes for casual reading, and the number will probably be made greater by the selections which have been edited for the Travellers’ Library by A. T. Bartholomew. The late Henry Festing Jones, original editor of the Note Books, had approved of such a selection being made, but be steadfastly refused to do the selecting him self. Mr Bartholomew then undertook the task, and in so doing has won

the gratitude of those who would like to see Butler give to others the joy which he has given to them. In the selections most of the scientific and metaphysical notes have been omitted, and also the more or less technical notes on painting and music. While these are interesting, they are more often skipped than read, and their omission does not rob the book o! material interest. In the “Note Books' is to be found some of the most stimu lating thought of modern times, and foi that reason the book should be widely read. The publishers have done what they can to stimulate the Butler cult by issuing a great and unique work in such a cheap and attractive series.

“Twenty Five.” Beverley Nichols. “Selections from Samuel ltutler’s Note Books.” Fdited by A. T. Bartholomew. Jonathan Cape. Our copies from the publishers.

Art In New Zealand The June number of “Art in New Zealand” is devoted chiefly to the work of the Christchurch-born artist, Owen Merton, who has won success in England, Europe and America. Professor James Shelley, of Canterbuir University College, writes an admirable appreciation of Merton’s art, and with this are featured four colour plates—“ Convent In Snow, Murat,” “Farm On the Hill,” “The Cotswolds, England.” and “Pillars and Houses, St. Antonin.” There are also a number of reproductions, in black and white, of Merton’s work ranging from his effortless water-colours and washes to

“Souvenir de Chartres” —a pen and ink drawing, meticulous in its detail and demonstrating the versatility of this interesting personality. “The Quest of K. M. B-allantyne,” by “Pohutukawa,” is particularly interesting to Aucklanders, who will recall that Ballantyne (now in America) began his art-training In this city. A very fine woodcut hy “K.M.” illustrates the article. Jessica Andreae writes of “Weaving in the Home” and Madeline Vyner of “Modern Movement in Theatrical Dancing.” There are notes from the centres and reproductions from recent art society exhibitions in the Dominion. The high standard set by the editor, Mr. C. A. Harris, in earlier editions has been splendidly maintained, and the September number which will be devoted primarily to Van der Velden should have a wide appeal. “Art in New’ Zealand.” Quarterly. June number. Our copy from the publishers, Harry FI. Tombs, Ltd., 22 Wingfield Street, Wellington. A New Note There were Mrs. Hobson, Mr. Brown-Jenkins, Messrs. Malpas, Francis and Hilary Yeomoud, Mr. Anthony Mr. Kost, Miss Cowes, Mrs. Puddlequet. Miss Brown-Jenkins, Miss Yeomond. Miss Caddick, Mr. Cowes and’ Joseph Herring, and there were “motives” so far as some were concerned, and none so far as others were concerned . . . from which it will be seen that a murder has occurred. Two murders have occurred, as a matter of cold fact, and that, it will be admitted, should give a “kick” to any country house-party. Great-aunt Puddlequet had a fortune to dispose of and she chose a queer way of doing it, endeavouring to make athletic champions from unwilling grandnephews. Miss Gladys Mitchell tells us all about it in “The Longer Bodies,” which starts off by being a light, airy tale, and is metamorphosed cleverly into a mystery story. Miss Mitchell’s detectives are rather refreshing souls, and her psychology’ expert, Mrs. Bradley, whose mission is to keep the detectives iu their place is a very’ diverting person who would doubtless have informed Mr. Sherlock Holmes that his deductions were childish in the extreme and would have driven dear old Dr. Watson, doddering, to his grave years before Sir Arthur Conan Doyle saw fit to let him die. The charm about this novel is that everyone from the nonagenarian great-aunt (who has an excellent range of bath-chair wit) to her youngest guest is most delightfully flippant. Even a second murder scarcely dampens the prevailing high spirits. No mortuary atmosphere; nice clean muiders and a real chess-prob-lem in crime detection, “The Longer , Bodies.” Victor Gollancz, Ltd., Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London. Our copy from the publishers direct. Young and Wholesome Since the days of “The Young Visiters” precocious children seem to have rushed into print with astonishing success. Although one can scarcely describe Leila Mackinley as a child, she is still a minor and apparently a very gifted little lady judging by her novel “Little Mountebank.” At 19 years of age she has produced quite a pretty love story—almost a fairytale in that everyone lives happily ever after and success is their lot in life. Every girl will adore Patricia Deane, the charming, wholesome young heroine who, against the usual parental wish, makes a success of her stage career and marries the man she loves after several chapters of heartburning. Miss Mackinley comes of a talented family and seems only’ to bo following in the footsteps of her forebears. “Little Mountebank,” Mills and Boon, Ltd., London. Our copy from the agents, Sands and McDougall (Pty.), Ltd., London. Y/orthy Prizewinner Sifting no fewer than 400 manuscripts in an effort to enrich the present literary season with one worthy religious novel, Hodder and Stoughton have chosen a work of conspicuous ability by Miss Lettice Cooper, who wins the publishers’ £I,OOO prize competition. Miss Cooper, who is already known as a writer of historical romances, has accomplished in “The Ship of Truth” dignified, thoughtful work, that serves the dual purpose of providing us in a temperate and sympathetic way with an entex’-

taining study of a career set in paths ecclesiastic, and of discussing modern and pressing problems confronting the Church of England. The character of Clement Dyson, the young clergyman—{reamer, and conscientious striver for what he believes is the truth —round whom the author has placed her problems and difficulties, is one of provocative realism. After a vain attempt to fit the Church to modern needs, he loses faith, leaves it, and drifts into a penurious struggle to support his wife and family. Gradually his distorted vision of fundamental truths clears, and he returns to grapple instead with modern needs, and mould them to church teachings. Superficially, “The Ship of Truth,” which gains its title and motif from Masefield's lines— Man with his "burning soul Has but an hour of breath To build a ship of truth . . , is a true and gracefully written study of village and vicarage life in the north of England. But the more important aspect of the book is seen in its frank and purposeful discussions of religious questions, principally as they affect the working parish priest. Definitely this is a novel of permanence and value. “The Ship of Truth,” I-lodder and Stoughton, Ltd., London and Sydney. Our copy from the publishers’ Sydney representative, Mr. W. S. Smart. A Shadow Husband Rina Saltzenbrod’s “Shadow Husband” was a man of some substance. He is both villain and hero of Karl Hans Strobel’s novel of that name, which has been ably translated into English to make profitable reading for those who have a taste for tragedy told with the utmost simplicity, and an attention to detail which never becomes involved. Rina Saltzenbrod’s life was the struggle against fate and a spendthrift husband in a tiny Bohemian village -where petty gossip was as vital as world affairs to a League of Nations official. Justus, the husband, disappeared, leaving his wife and child to struggle alone against a torrent of malicious slander. Years pass and Justus returns, a strangely changed man. 1-Ie organises the farm and prosperity returns. Rina, half afraid, cannot convince herself that it is the real Justus. He knows so much of their intimate earlier life, however, (hat her fears are dispelled. Later a child is born-and Rina’s happiness is complete. A wandering soldier passes through the village and gathers from pot-house gossip the story of Justus Saltzenbrod. He goes ou his way and comes on the real Justus, working in an inn after gambling away his -wife and land to the casual companion who had taken his place. The inevitable happens. Rina takes back her spendthrift, lazy husband t.o find that happiness is just such a shadow as the man she had loved, land. “The Shadow Husband.” Cassell and Company, Ltd., London. Our copy comes from Champtaloup and Edmiston, AucltPleasant Reading. With “The Swift Y'ears” George Stevenson has given us another pleasant piece of simple, vigorous writing, human and entertaining. Mr Stevenson, as in his earlier novels, is a keen student of character with the ability to make his figures "come alive.” His stories glow with life and reality’. The plot treats of the lives of t mother and son, spiritual and material, with their changes in the passing years. The story moves against the background of. a Yorkshire village, London, and Rye, and the writer shows an intimate knowledge of these j places. Despite the disadvantage of ; loving her conceited and lazy poet- ; aster of a husband, the hero’s mothen j walks bravely through the years oft the Victorian age with her son, whom she feels like spanking at times. She is a beautiful and vital character. “The Swift Years,'* George Stevenson. John I,ane, The Bodlev Head, London. Our copy from the publishers.

Poets ’ Corner

ROMANCE (Written for THE SUN) A hand of brigands coasting through a wood Came on a minstrel huddled in his hood. They might have passed him in the hilling cold, For his lean hands were bare, of sto7ie or gold. But that he stirred and murmured in a tongue Impenitently alien , imperishably young. That racked their ears until in savagery They tied his droxvsy body to the tree. But he, thrice thonged, while threats still rang, Flung up a scornful throat and sang and sang Of his dear land , its mirth, its misery. Immortal hate and deathless mutiny, Till the black sky burned into summer there And buds and birds blew past them on the air, And they who bOU7id his body to the bole Felt pass, in singing insolence , his soul. EILEEN DUGGAN. Wellington. BOOKS IN DEMAND AT THE AUCKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY FICTION "MOOR FIRES,” by E. H. Young. ‘■THREE OF THEM,” by XOrman ‘ Douglas. “THE BLIND BOW BOY.” by C. Van Vechlen. “THE POACHER.” by P. Bacon. “BRIEF CANDLES,” by Aldous Huxley. “ GIANT'S BREAD,” by 21. Wcstmacott. “GOOD SIR JOHN," by P. F. Saye. “TALES TOLD BY SIMPSON," by \ May Sinclair. j “GUERRA,” by A. Neicmann, “CECILE,” by F. L. Lucas. NON-FICTION j “G. A. STUDDERT KENNEDY,” by, his friends. ”FRIDAY NIGHTS,” by E. Garnett. “WHERE THE WHITE MAN | TREADS,” by IV'. Baucke. j “BIRD LIFE ON ISLAND AND SHORE,” by H. Guthrie-Smith. : “OLD ENGLISH FURNITURE FOR I THE SMALL COLLECTOR," by J. I P. Blake and A. E. Reveir.s-Hopk.ins. | “THE HOLY CITIES OF ARABIA,” 1 by E. Rutter. “THE BASIS OF MODERN SCIENCEby J. W. N. Sullivan. I “DRAMATIC VALUES,” by C. E. Montague. \ “THIS FILM BUSINESS,” by R. P. | Messel. i “LIFE AND REMINISCENCES OF j JESSIE BOND."