Waugh, Evelyn

8vo, FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY WAUGH ("Just back. Spitzbergen was | a fiasco narrowly retrieved | from disaster. Gabriel might | have enjoyed it. | Evelyn") on front free endpaper, frontispiece, 3pp. publisher's advertisements at end, original patterned cloth, collector's black morocco folding box, decorated with morocco onlays, spine slightly rolled

Condition is 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."

PRESENTATION COPY OF THE NOVEL NOW WIDELY REGARDED AS WAUGH'S MASTERPIECE.

Although the identity of the recipient of this copy remains unknown, the inscription strongly suggests it was intended for a close friend. On the invitation of Hugh Lygon, Waugh joined Sir Alexander ("Sandy") Glen's expedition to the Arctic two days before their departure in the early summer of 1934. The party arrived at Spitzbergen ("a very desolate prospect") on 18 July, but an early thaw drove them back and Waugh had a miserable time. 

This is one of only a few copies of A Handful of Dust, which was published in September, that Waugh inscribed. He wrote of the expedition in very similar terms to his school friend Tom Driberg ("Just back from Spitzbergen which was hell - a fiasco very narrowly retrieved from disaster.") and later published a brief article entitled 'The first time I went north: fiasco in the Arctic'.