ODETTE D'ANTREVERNES AND A STUDY IN TEMPERAMENT
London: Elkin Mathews, 1905. First Edition. A sharp copy of Firbank's first book, the publication of which he financed himself. "Odette is a pastiche from Firbank's reading of Francis Jammes, a tale of the power of an innocent, believing child who, in her search for the "Holy Mary," saves a harlot from suicide. Its setting is a saccharine version of St. Symphorien, all flowers and birdsong, a romantic château, and the distant towers of the cathedral...purple in the setting sun" (Benkovitz, p.52). In A Study in Temperament, he tells of "an attempted seduction which has less importance to the lady involved than the color of her hair. She lives, as do all the characters sketched in this story, within her own consciousness" (ibid., p.44-45). An exemplary copy of the author's debut, scarce in dustjacket. Benkovitz A1a. Item #5773
Regular issue, one of 500 copies. Slim octavo (19.5cm); variant bound in original sea green wrappers, with titles stamped in gilt on front cover; publisher's original beige unprinted paper dustjacket; [7],8-45,[3]pp. Subtle toning to front wrapper, else a fresh, Fine copy. In the original unprinted dustjacket, lightly edgeworn, gently sunned at spine and flap folds, with a few tiny tears, and two small nicks at crown and lower spine panel; Very Good+.
Price: $650.00