Rumpole a la Carte

New York: Viking Press, 1990. Hardcover. Small 4to. Black cloth with gilt spine lettering, pictorial dust jacket. 246pp. Fine/near fine. Handsome, tight first edition of this mystery in the popular series by the English barrister turned screenwriter and novelist (1923-2009). This unique copy bears seven fine and relevant autograph additions, a veritable "Who's Who" of actors from the British television series "Rumpole of the Bailey": Three on the front flyleaf, another three on that flyleaf verso and one on the facing half-title page. The six on the flyleaf all consist of fine, matching heavy stock 5" X 3" cards, each boldly signed at center and dated at upper right by its signer, neatly tipped one above the next. Front flyleaf, top to bottom: LEO McKERN (1920-2002), who played Horace W. Rumpole, signs hugely in blue fineline and dates it 5 November 1973; MARION MATHIE (1925-2012), second actress to play Rumpole's wife Hilda, a.k.a. "She Who Must Be Obeyed," signs in black ballpoint and dates it 23 July 1988; DAVID YELLAND (born 1947), who played Rumpole's son Nicholas, signs in black ballpoint and dates it 23 February 1980. Flyleaf verso, top to bottom: PETER BOWLES (born 1936), who played High Court judge Sir Guthrie Featherstone, signs in blue fineline and dates it 31 October [1985]; MORAY WATSON (1928-2017), who played Rumpole's friend and fellow barrister George Frobisher, signs in blue fineline and dates it 28 October 1985; LESLIE PHILLIPS (born 1924), who played guest star Boxey Horne, signs in blue ballpoint and dates it 18 December 1984. Facing flyleaf page is an 8½" X 3½" Autograph Note Signed from PETER BLYTHE (1934-2004), who played Head of Chambers and Rumpole's foil Samuel "Soapy Sam" Ballard. On the verso of an admirer's 18 May 1988 note to him, Blythe pens in black fineline a cordial note, signing handsomely and adding "Just about to start a new series of 'Rumpole'." Laid in are six of the original signature transmittal envelopes. An extraordinary, exceptionally unusual copy.