Lowry, Malcolm

8vo, FIRST EDITION, inscribed by the author on the front free endpapers to his mother-in-law Emily Vanderheim ("To my mother Emily J. Vanderheim - with lots of love from the author, your son Malcolm. I wish the book were worthy of the done: I'll give you a better one next time. I/X/XXXIV") with a vintage photograph of the author inserted beneath the inscription with adhesive tape, pencil note about Lowry presumably in Emily Vanderheim's hand, original blue cloth, DUST-JACKET, light soiling and wear to jacket, edges bumped

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, 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."

AN EXCEPTIONAL COPY OF LOWRY'S FIRST NOVEL. Emily Vanderheim was the mother of Jan Gabrial. Lowry and Gabrial, a young American travelling around Europe, met in Spain in 1933 and married in January 1934. By August 1934 they were both in New York and Lowry soon developed a friendly intimacy with Emily Vanderheim - in striking contrast to his strained relationship with his own parents. Lowry and Gabrial moved to Mexico together, where he began work on his masterpiece, Under the Volcano, but Lowry's extreme behaviour and alcoholism (not helped by their isolated life in Mexico) proved too much of a strain on their relationship and Gabrial left for California in December 1937. Lowry continued to correspond with Emily Vanderheim even after his divorce from her daughter. NO OTHER COPY OF THIS NOVEL WITH SUCH A PERSONAL PRESENTATION FROM THE NOVELIST HAS BEEN SOLD AT AUCTION IN RECENT DECADES.