Black Mischief.

WAUGH, Evelyn (1903-1966).

London: Chapman and Hall, 1932. [Modern Literature] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.303 [1]. Illustrated with frontispiece map. Elegantly hand-bound in black half calf over matching cloth sides, spine gilt-lettered in six compartments with twin red title labels, raised bands. A few minor marks within, exterior as new. A near fine copy in a striking recent leather binding. Waugh's third novel is a controversial book which established him as a master satirist. Set on the fictional African island of Azania, 'Black Mischief' is a thinly veiled reference to the then empire of Abyssinia, now Ethiopia. The novel chronicles the efforts of the English-educated Emperor Seth, assisted by a fellow Oxford graduate (Waugh's recurring character) Basil Seal, to modernize his Empire. Item #67181

Price: £195.00