Beschreibung:

WAUGH, Evelyn. The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold. A Conversation Piece . London: Butler & Tanner Ltd. for Chapman & Hall, 1957. 8° (183 x 122mm). (A few marginal spots, short tear affecting 2 lines on [A]6.) Original blue cloth, spine lettered in gilt, dustwrapper with design after Biro. (Some tears on upper panel and spine of dustwrapper causing losses, upper panel reinforced on verso with adhesive tape, lower panel lightly stained at edges). Provenance : Pamela Countess of Onslow (1915-1992, presentation inscription 'For Pamela , Souvenir of Combe Florey , April 15th 1961 , from Evelyn Waugh', and by descent to her son:) -- Lord Onslow. FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED TO AUBERON WAUGH'S FUTURE MOTHER-IN-LAW. Evelyn Waugh was initially hostile to his son's engagement, describing it to Ann Fleming as a 'highly imprudent engagement but I have no authority to forbid it as I have no money to settle' (E. Waugh The Letters (London: 1980), p.562). A series of meetings with Auberon's prospective mother-in-law followed, during one of which the present copy was presumably inscribed. However, 'When Waugh met Teresa he was pleasantly surprised: she was attractive, sharp, not only well-born but well-mannered, and she agreed to take instruction [to convert to Catholicism ...] Before long, Waugh and she became rather fond of each other' (M. Stannard Evelyn Waugh (London: 1992), p.436). Auberon Waugh and Teresa Onslow eventually married on 1 July 1961. Davis, Doyle, Kosok and Linck Evelyn Waugh A31.