THE TWO HUSBANDS

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original blue cloth with red titles to the spine, in the Edward Ardizzone illustrated dustwrapper. A very good copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with a gift inscription and previous owner's bookplate to the front endpaper, are spotted throughout. Complete with the rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that has a small chip to the top edge of the rear panel, a short closed tear and the remnants of a paper price label to the spine.

The East End author's second novel following on from Down Donkey Row. Transported from the clatter and neighbourliness of the East End to a suburban housing estate, Edwin Farnarm and his sister Veronica were like two sparrows driven out of St. James's Park to the suggested freedom of the Green Belt - but without sparrows' adaptability. "Respectability," in company with a sanctimonious stepfather, was too much for them. Edwin took to gambling for comfort, Veronica sought escape with a man she did not love; even their mother turned her thoughts to the lodger... (publisher's blurb).