ALL FRIENDS ARE STRANGERS

First edition, first printing of the author's fourth novel. Inscribed presentation copy. Publisher's original red cloth with black lettering to the spine, in dustwrapper. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm. The cloth of the spine panel shows a few spots of discolouration and is a little toned to the tips. The contents, lightly spotted to the text block edges, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the rubbed, nicked and lightly soiled dustwrapper that has a few small chips to the spine panel, edges and extremities. Priced 9/6 net to the front flap. Scarce.

Inscribed by the author in black ink on the front endpaper, "To / Otto & Louise / affectionately / from / John Metcalfe / 27/10/'48". "After the interval of the war years, spent in service with the R.A.F., Mr Metcalfe now gives us, in this tale of London and New York, what is probably so far his most important work. [...] The linked destinies of the two protagonists, Lake and Clayshaw, provide a main strand with which are interwoven the fates and fortunes of a richly diverse throng of minor characters, each vividly and clearly realised." (from the jacket)