WODEHOUSE, P. G. (1881-1975). Love Among the Chickens. A Story of Mishaps on an English Farm. London: George Newnes, Limited, [1906].

Wodehouse’s first adult novel: first edition, first issue of his only novel to feature the beloved character Stanley Feathersoneheaugh Ukridge. The four plates and frontispiece are after Henry Matthew Brock (1875-1960), one of the four brothers that made up the artistic set ‘The Brocks of Cambridge’. This English edition was dedicated ‘to Sir Bargrave and Lady Deane’, the former a QC, High Court Judge and cousin of Wodehouse’s mother. McIlvaine A7a.

Octavo. Frontispiece and three plates by H. M. Brock (scattered spotting and light finger-soiling throughout, most heavily affecting half-title, title and first gathering, some occasional chips and creases to leaves at gutter where stitching is loosening). Original buff pictorial cloth printed in orange, black and green (lightly marked, extremities faintly rubbed, head and tail caps lightly bruised, hinges starting); custom blue cloth box.