Greene, Graham

8vo, first edition, AUTHOR'S PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED TO HIS WIFE VIVIEN ("For Vivien | affectionately | from Graham"), original green cloth lettered in gilt on the spine, dust-jacket, preserved in green cloth chemise and quarter green morocco slipcase, short tear to jacket near head of spine

Wobbe A59a

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when 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."

A SUPERB PRESENTATION COPY. Greene met his wife Vivien in 1925, after she responded  to an article he had written in The Oxford Outlook linking sex, religion and the cinema. The attractive 19 year old, working as a clerk at Blackwell's, was already a published poet. When they met Greene fell in love with Vivien instantly, pursuing her with 1,000 love letters. Vivien finally surrendered when Greene agreed to convert to Catholicism, and they were married on 15th October 1927, having two children before Greene had his first affair with the illustrator Dorothy Glover. Vivien was staunchly religious and though she granted Greene a separation, and despite his countless later love affairs, they were never divorced. At the time of this inscription the two had been separated for many decades. Vivien went on to become one of the world's most celebrated collectors of dolls-houses.