FAULKNER, William (1897-1962)

Soldiers' Pay [Dennis Wheatley's copy]

London: Chatto & Windus, 1930. First Edition. Hardcover. First Impression (no further printings noted), one of only 2000 copies of the author's first title published in the United Kingdom, with preface by Richard Hughes (who wrote "A High Wind in Jamaica" and, incidentally, helped launch Faulkner in England). 8vo: xii,326,[6, including four pages of publisher's advertisements]pp. Publisher's coarsely woven aquamarine cloth, spine lettered in gold, top edge stained aquamarine, bottom edge uncut; cream-colored dust dust jacket printed in red and black, priced 7s/6d. Dennis Wheatley's copy, with his bookplate on front paste-down. Top edge spotted, others lightly browned, otherwise about Fine, square and tight, in better than Near Fine jacket, the spine dust-soiled and a bit darkened, edges lightly rubbed and nicked. Petersen A2.14. Man Working 310. Hanna 1166. Coan, p. 123. Cooperman, p. 160. Fine- / Near Fine+. Item #BB0698

In 1925, Faulkner moved to New Orleans where he joined a literary circle centered on Sherwood Anderson and was introduced to the modernist innovations of T. S. Eliot and James Joyce. His interest in experimental writing was piqued, and he began a novel, his first, Soldier's Pay, portraying the tragic homecoming of a wounded war hero. Though set in Georgia, it was, nonetheless, a kind of rehearsal for the later Mississippi novels, full of despair and “mythic motifs of impotence and futile love." (The Literary Encyclopedia) Wheatley's stylish thrillers and occult novels made him one of the world's best-selling writers from the 1930s through the 1960s. His Gregory Sallust series was a key inspirations for Ian Fleming's James Bond stories. Note: With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Price: $1,249.00