They Were Still Dancing - Inscribed By Evelyn Waugh

First American edition, first issue, and the true first appearance of the work under Waugh’s preferred title. Octavo; 317 pp., including maps. Original yellow cloth, lettered in maroon, top edge stained; Jonathan Cape's imprint to spine. In the correct first-issue dust-wrapper, printed in yellow with blue and maroon lettering and decoration, blue spine panel. Waugh's second travel book, written after his 1930-31 journey to Abyssinia to report on the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie, and extended travels through Arabia and East and Central Africa. The work was issued in London the same year as Remote People, but Waugh himself preferred the title They Were Still Dancing((taken from the opening line), which was adopted for the American publication. This Cape & Harrison Smith issue constitutes the priority American edition. Both the 1931 and the more commonly encountered 1932 Farrar & Rinehart issue state "first edition" on the copyright page, but the Cape & Harrison Smith imprint is bibliographically earlier. The sheets were printed and bound for the original publishers before a dispute over payment led to the transfer of rights; Farrar & Rinehart subsequently reissued the book using the same sheets with cancel title and copyright leaves, altered spine imprint, and a new dust-wrapper. Copies of the 1931 issue are scarce, particularly in the original jacket. The combination of priority, the author's preferred title, and the turbulent publication history makes this one of the more elusive and desirable of Waugh's early works. Inscribed "For dear Lon with warmest love from Evelyn" in the author's hand. No individual named "Lon" has been identified among Waugh’s documented circle at this period; the name may represent a private nickname or an otherwise unrecorded acquaintance. Given Waugh's well-documented disagreement with the publisher, it is bibliographically notable that he nevertheless presented and warmly inscribed a copy to a close acquaintance. Spine slightly dust-marked and rubbed; a very good indeed, tight and clean copy. In a good only dustwrapper which is nicked, chipped and rubbed with some loss at the spine.…