Queen lucia by BENSON, E. F - [1920]

London: Hutchinson & Co., [1920]. 304pp, [24]. Original publisher's red cloth boards, spine lettered black. A few marks to boards, faded to spine and fore edge, corners and ends a little bumped. Endpapers toned, with some foxing up to the title page. Benson's bookplate, designed by George Plank, adorns the front pastedown. Ownership inscription of C. E. Tomlin to FFEP. Internally bright save a few marks, and a small loss to the top of page 237, though text remains intact. Publisher's catalogue dated spring 1920 bound in to rear. The first instalment of Benson's Mapp and Lucia series, a wry send-up of Edwardian high society. E. F. Benson (1867-1940) was an extremely prolific English writer, completing over fifty novels, four novel series, short stories, plays, biographies, and other non-fiction works on subjects as varied as golf and grave digging. His last work, his third autobiography, was delivered to his publisher just ten days before his death. Charlie Tomlin was Benson's manservant for many years until Benson's death in 1940, likely taking this book with him after he left, accounting for the ownership inscription. . First edition. 8vo.