O'Brien, Flann

8vo (196 x 135mm.), FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, ONE OF SIX AUTHOR'S COPIES, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED TO NAILL SHERIDAN ("To Mr Sheridan [spelt Sheraton above] I unload | This celestial commode - | Of that particular accessory | It may be said that it is necessary") on the front free endpaper, original black cloth, dust-jacket, collector's green chemise and morocco backed slipcase, boards slightly soiled, worn at foot of spine, very occasional spotting, dust-jacket price clipped and worn at extremities, with some tears, loss to at head of spine, and adhesive tape repairs on verso; [with]: Myles. Portraits of Brian O'Nolan. Edited by Timothy O'Keefe. London: Martin Brian and O'Keefe, 1973, 8vo (216 x 134mm.), original cloth, dust-jacket (2)

Condition is as described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Published under a pen name, Brian O'Nolan's At Swim-Two-Birds was accepted by Longmans on the recommendation of Graham Greene who also provided an effusive blurb for the dust-jacket, reading: "I read it with continual excitement, amusement and the kind of glee one experiences when people smash china on the stage... It is in the line of Tristram Shandy and Ulysses..."

The circumstances under which this copy was given were recorded by Sheridan, O'Nolan's great friend, in his contribution to Myles. Portraits of Brian O'Nolan (included in this lot). Sheridan had helped edit O'Nolan's draft, cutting it by about a fifth. Before publication he was given this, his own inscribed copy, and later entrusted with taking a copy to James Joyce in Paris: "He was alone in the flat when I called, and he said Sam Beckett has already praised At Swim-Two-Birds very highly to him and that he looked forward to reading it... [It] was, I am certain, the last novel he ever read" (pp.48-49).