THE WAX BOOM (First UK edition, first printing)

First printing of the first UK edition, published in 1963. The book was originally published in the USA by Random House, NY in 1962. ***Near fine in blue cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The boards are clean with just a couple of light handling marks on the boards. No tears or creasing to the cloth. Corners sharp. Light vertical reading crease to the spine. Page block edges clean without any foxing. No reading lean - spine tight. Internally also near fine, with no inscriptions. Pages clean - just a small mark on the front free endpaper. Thick quality paper stock used. No creases or tears to the pages. No foxing. ***In a near fine original illustrated dustwrapper, which has been neatly price-clipped at the bottom corner of the front flap. The dustwrapper is complete, with just light rubbing and edge wear, mainly at the top of the spine. A few light marks due to handling over the years, mainly to the white back panel, and a small mark to the front flap. No creases, chips or tears. Spine of dustwrapper clean without any fading. Dustwrapper bright. ***307 pages. 202mm x 138mm. ***'George Mandel (11 Feb 1920 - 13 Feb 2021) was an American author and artist. His first novel, "Flee the Angry Strangers" (1952), is considered to be an early work of the east coast Beat Generation. His novels, interviews, novellas, cartoons and short stories have been carried by major publishing houses, print magazines and collections. He was also active as a comic artist. Mandel was a native of New York City. As a cartoonist, Mandel's inkings established the first masked female comicbook hero: "The Woman in Red". In 1968, he signed the "Writers and Editors War Tax Protest" pledge, vowing to refuse tax payments in protest against the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Gourmet Club with Mel Brooks, and was friends with William Styron, and was a childhood friend of Joseph Heller. Mandel died New York City in February 2021, two days after turning 101.' (Wiki) ***'Only one week in December 1944 is covered in the action of this novel. But that is enough to reveal the ultimate horror of war as well as its wild comedy. For the reader there is a new and powerful vision of men-at-arms; more tellingly, perhaps, there is also a fresh vision of the human plight. Mr Mandel's writing is superbly controlled and varied; he has written a novel of outstanding merit.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***A first printing of the first UK edition, complete in its original dustwrapper, i very nice collectable condition. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc. …