SANTAL
London: Grant Richards Ltd., 1921. First Edition. Firbank wrote the novella during a six month stay in Tunisia, after which he had the manuscript typed in Rome by an exiled Russian princess. "Santal is the story of the orphaned Cherif's search for Allah, a search which leads only to illusion and ends as the Arab boy, dying of thirst, prays, "Lord Allah! Show compassion to they child Cheriff"" (Benkovitz, p.206). Upon reading a draft, Grant Richards was shocked by some of the dialogue, and was unenthusiastic about its prospects. He agreed to a large paper edition of 300 copies, largely financed by Firbank; the American edition was not published until 1955. Benkovitz A8a. Item #5776
First Impression, one of 300 copies. Slim octavo (23cm); original stiff rose wrappers, with titling and pictorial elements in navy and Persian blue on spine and covers; [6],7-41,[1] + [6]pp ads. Light wear to extremities, hint of sunning to spine and upper wrappers, else contents fresh; Near Fine.
Price: $150.00