HUNT THE TORTOISE

First UK edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with some bumping at the spine tips, the cloth bright and fresh with just a few small patches of fading consistent with the chips in the dustwrapper. The contents, with just a few spots to the closed text block edge are otherwise clean throughout and without previous owner's marks. Complete good, rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper that has several short tears and some chipping with loss to the tips of the slightly faded spine. Not price-clipped (8s. 6d. on the front flap). A scarce title.

Inscribed by the author in blue ink on the front endpaper "Joan / with love from / Morna". The recipient was a close friend of the Morna MacTaggart (Elizabeth Ferrars) over several decades. At the time of presentation both of their husbands were colleagues and professors at Bedford College (University of London). (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).