Cry Havoc!

London: Jonathan Cape, 1934. Hardcover . Used - good. Small 8vo. 1933 (seventeenth printing, 1934). No DJ. Handwritten letter from Nichols to a Mrs. Bowman, probably written about the time of this book's publication as the book was gifted to the recipient by a third party (Clive & Erica), with the gift inscription on the ffe, and dated, Christmas, 1934. The letter is pasted to the ffe. 'Hurrah! The doctor says I can get up after lunch and come to Bethlehem provided I go to bed before dinner, and don't talk too much, or smoke! So if you can bear it, a smokeless mute will arrive at your house, heavily veiled, at about 2 o'clock. B.N.' At the bottom of the letter is penned (presumably by Mrs Bowman) her impressions of Mr Nichols during their short visit. A few words are difficult to decipher, and one phrase seems contradictory, but here it is as best we can make out, 'Oddly enough, I think he is rather sensitive generally, and broad-minded, but rather unstable. Not conceited (which I am sure he is!), careful in small details, and rather egoistic (sic), plenty of imagination, and constantly changing his views, of a cheerful disposition on the whole.' Autograph letters and books from Nichols are scarce, and this added view of him is at least fun, if not informative. A square, tight copy with unmarked text. Light foxing to textblock edges and text. Black cloth covers mildly scuffed, more so to spine. the red lettering legible but with partial loss.