The Scapegoat [with a Typed Letter Signed].

DU MAURIER, [Dame] Daphne (1907–1989).

London: Victor Gollancz, [and] Menabilly, Cornwall, 9th March 1957. [Mystery] FIRST EDITION with a TYPED LETTER SIGNED. Octavo (19 x 14cm), pp.368. Publisher's red cloth titled in gilt to spine. With the yellow typographic dust-jacket, priced at 15s. Together with a typed letter on headed notepaper addressed to Ivor Brown, the publisher, and his wife Irene, thanking them for the gift of his latest book, 'Dark Ladies', and enclosing a copy of her most recent book, 'The Scapegoat'. SIGNED by du Maurier in blue ink, and presented mounted in a grey cloth-covered diptych case, with a photographic image facing, and gilt titles to spine. Heavy spotting to edges, with a little offsetting to endpapers, otherwise a crisp, clean copy. Jacket very slightly toned to spine, with a touch of wear to edges. Very good. Letter toned to edges, with a small rust mark from a paperclip to top edge. Very good. A menacing novel from the acclaimed mystery writer, 'The Scapegoat' is a gripping and complex tale and a masterful exploration of doppelgangers and of the dark side of the self. Du Maurier was rather fond of the novel in question, stating in a letter to a Ms. Hart 'I personally think The Scapegoat is more unusual than either Rebecca or Frenchman's Creek'. Basis for two screen adaptations, firstly starring Alec Guinness (1959) and more recently starring Matthew Rhys (2012). Item #61738

Price: £750.00