The Gambling Ghost: and Other Stories

STIVENS, Dal

Published by Angus and Robertson, U.K., 1954

About this Item

Over the space of forty years, the Australian writer, Dal Stivens (full name, Dallas George Stivens), published six novels and eight collections of short stories. He won some prestigious awards and was a leading figure in Australian literature and in authors' rights. This "Gambling Ghost" is, as you might expect, a collection of humorous tales with wacky characters and fantastic happenings. And the illustrations, some full page, are rather fun as well. Although Stivens (who also wrote under a number of pseudonyms) was living in England in the 1950s, this book was first published in Australia in 1953. This UK first edition appears to be those Australian sheets just bound up with a UK title page. Talking of the title page, this one is inscribed, signed and dated by the author: "For Beatrice and Geoff Bridges. Dal Stivens August 1954". There is some slight wear to the edges of the lovely terracotta cloth boards, and a hint of browning to textblock, but a very good copy indeed, in very good dust jacket which is a little browned and has minor nicks and chips to extremities and one closed tear to rear gutter. A scarce book, particularly with the author's signature. MC.

Seller Inventory # 001443

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Gambling Ghost: and Other Stories
• Publisher: Angus and Robertson, U.K.
• Publication Date: 1954
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: H.J. Rothe
• Edition: First U.K. edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Inscribed by Author(s)