Lucky Star

Rutter, Owen

Published by Hutchinson, London, 1929

About this Item

(London: Hutchinson & Co (Publishers) Ltd nd [1929]. First UK Edition. Publisher's mid-blue boards with dark blue lettering and dark blue border to front board. SIGNED & DATED BY THE AUTHOR. Boards exceptionally bright and clean. The near fine book is a little dust dulled with some foxing to the top-edge and a mild amount to the front and bottom edge of the text block. Inscription on FEP reads: "For Heather from Owen, Wargrave 28.1.34" and is additionally signed in his full name on the title page. The fine dustwrapper is in outstanding condition. Apart from four very short nicks (no more than 3mm in length) and a 2cm tear midway along the spine there is remarkably little wear. Comes together with the Author's manuscript, working notes for: 'Shrimpton-in-Space' [Lucky Star] written in purple ink and pencil, in one instance black ink, predominantly rectos only, numerous blanks, newspaper excerpt of Oliver Lodge regarding the moon's derivation from Earth clipped, pp. [81], small 4to, notebook of stiff wrappers covered in beige cloth, the title written in purple ink to front, marbled edges, very good. A working notebook for this novel 'Lucky Star', published by Hutchinson in 1929, and subsequently the basis for the 1935 film 'Once in a New Moon'. The Author's note to the manuscript title-page states that it was begun on 3rd September 1928. The notebook begins with a synopsis, summarising the novel thus: a 'strange convulsion of nature' has caused 'Shrimpton-on-Sea', an 'Essex village', to become 'detached from the Earth through the attraction of a dead star'. A short list of alternative titles ('Drake's Luck', 'The Moon's Little Sister', 'Out of Bounds', 'Milky Ways', et al.) does not include that eventually used [Lucky Star which is part of this listing]. A blurb is also provided by the author, calling the work a 'riotous extravaganza', before proceeding to a series of character outlines and then some notes on the historical and scientific bases for the work (his hero, Harold Drake is, we gather, so called to evoke Sir Francis Drake). The section of chapter outlines at the rear is rather sketchier in nature. An interesting insight into Rutter's working process. For the first edition and the Author's working notes (2 items). Photographs/scans available upon request.

Seller Inventory # 355490724689

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Lucky Star
• Publisher: Hutchinson, London
• Publication Date: 1929
• Binding: Hard Cover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket
• Signed: Signed by Author