First edition. 206pp. Red cloth covered boards, blind stamped on front panel, gilt lettering on the spine. Signed and inscribed to Gunby Hadath by the author on the front free endpaper. 8vo. Cloth a little rounded at spine ends, gently bumped and rubbed at corners, with a few minor identations on edges. Internally a hint of page toning. The front panel of the dust wrapper (otherwise not present), with a portrait of J R Lancashire has been pasted onto the front pastedown. Some pencil annotations on the title page and occasionally in margins. Various newspaper clippings relating to the book and its author pasted onto preliminary pages (resulting in some offset toning). Three manuscript letters signed by Frank Hall to Gunby Hadath, all dated 1927 and relating to the book, loosely laid. Also a manuscript letter signed by J R Lancashire, the subject of the book, to Gunby Hadath, loosely laid in.
Gunby Hadath (1871-1954), schoolmaster, lawyer and song writer is perhaps best remembered as the author of over seventy novels, mostly juvenile fiction, many of which were set in English public schools. Hadath also wrote under several pen names including Duncan James, Felix O'Grady and Shepherd Pearson. Some argue that he was also the author behind the name John Mowbray, but this is disputed.
J R Lancashire was a prominent Manchester businessman and pioneer, politically active and associated with Manchester's particular brand of radical liberal politics.
