Cold Comfort Farm. Gibbons, Stella.

First edition, first impression. Early readers of the novel suggested that Stella Gibbons might be a pseudonym for Evelyn Waugh. Certainly a contemporary review in the Times Literary Supplement identified "a wicked and witty pen" at work. The book was an instant success and has never been out of print. There have been numerous radio, television, and stage adaptations of the novel. A 1968 BBC television serial starred Alastair Sim, Fay Compton, and Brian Blessed. In 1995 a new adaptation for television was also shown in cinemas and featured Kate Beckinsale, Joanna Lumley, Ian McKellen, Eileen Atkins, and Stephen Fry. A stage play, adapted by Paul Doust, dates from the early 1990s, and a musical version by Alaric T. Barrie was first produced in 1996. Octavo (182 x 120 mm). Finely bound by the Chelsea Bindery in dark blue morocco, spine lettered and decorated gilt, raised bands, twin rule to turn-ins gilt, blue and green patterned endpapers, gilt edges. Minimal spotting to prelims otherwise a fine copy.