The Kite.

Presentation copy of the author's first novel. First edition of Rex Warner's first novel, lengthily inscribed by him in blue ink to the front pastedown: 'Poor old / RCBM [?] 1934 [in another hand] / was compelled by financial difficulties to sell this lone book (written in 16 days). It was since acquired by Mr C.L. Greenwood, when flushed by illusory triumphs at imperfectly understood games, + is dedicated to him by a grateful, but athletically inferior, author. / Rex Warner'.

This volume is number eight in the scarce Basil Blackwell series Tales of Action by Men of Letters, in which the publisher made the bold experiment of commissioning swashbuckling adventure stories for young adults from scholarly types like the classicist Warner.

First edition, first impression, inscribed by the author; 8vo; colour frontispiece, 8 plates in black and white, previous ownership inscription to front pastedown; publisher's burgundy cloth, gilt lettering to spine, with the unclipped pictorial dust-jacket, closed tear to front panel, loss to corners and foot of spine, slight spotting and soiling, else very good.