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SIGNED in full & briefly INSCRIBED by the author in black ink on ffep: "To Bache Matthews, with many kind regards from Gordon Bottomley. Silverdale, 27th January 1929". Also includes a lengthy 3-page HANDWRITTEN SIGNED LETTER by the author to the same recipient as the inscription. The handwritten letter (in black ink), with author's printed letterhead (The Sheiling, Silverdale, Carnforth), contains details regarding the book, the theatre world, & their friendship. The ALS is dated 27 January 1929, & is tipped-in to the front pastedown. Includes all 8 plates printed in green, plus b&w frontispiece, as issued. Printed above the frontispiece is: "The First and Sole Publisher of this Book is Elkin Mathews, Vigo Street, London, W. MCMIV". Decorated by Clinton Balmer. From copyright page: "The engraving & printing of the blocks, the typesetting, printing & binding are by William Holmes, Ltd, Ulverston." All text printed in capitals, in small font, with wide margins. With 2 pages of publisher's advertisements at rear. Gordon Bottomley (1874-1948), English Georgian poet & playwright, was influenced by the Romantics, Pre-Raphaelites & William Morris. Bottomley included many famous writers, poets & artists as friends who he mainly kept in contact with through letters. Aged seven, Bottomley contracted a tubercular illness that would affect him for the rest of his life. As a result he was invalided for long periods of time & was unable to travel widely or live in a town. He & his wife lived in Silverdale, near Carnforth from 1914 until their deaths. Bache Matthews, friend of Bottomley & recipient of the letter/inscription, wrote a book on the history of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, which was published in 1924. Large format. Thin volume. Bound in publisher's original pale green boards with black lettering to front board, backed by pale green cloth spine with printed paper label. Wear to spine ends & edges, light sun-shading to boards, toning to endpapers, otherwise a nice clean tight solid hardcover copy. 68pp. Uncommon title, scarce signed copy with tipped-in ALS. UNIQUE & RARE.
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