O’BRIEN, Flann (1911-1966). Four first editions and a magazine appearance. Dublin and London: 1941-1961.

Four first editions and a first appearance by Brian O’Nolan, the first three books published under his Irish pen name, Myles na gCopaleen, and the last under his English one, Flann O’Brien. Only the rare first article is under his birth name, in Irish, published when he was about 22 years old.

1. UA NUALLÁIN, Brian. “Aistear Pheadair Dhuibh.” In: Inisfáil, Published to Maintain a Sympathetic Contact between Irishmen Living Abroad. Vol. 1, no. 1. [London and Dublin:] March, 1933. Rare and very early magazine appearance of an O’Brien column. Quarto. (Covers tattered, back cover coming loose.)

2. An Béal Boċt. Dublin: Náisiúnta, 1941. First edition, in Irish, of The Poor Mouth, the famous parody of Gaeltacht autobiographies. (Leaned, spine rubbed.)

3. Cruiskeen Lawn. Dublin: Cahill and Company, 1943. First edition. Collection of the author’s columns for the Irish Times.

4. Faustus Kelly: A Play in Three Acts. Dublin: Cahill and Company, 1943. First and only edition of O'Brien's only play. It premiered at the Abbey Theatre in January 1943 and ran for just two weeks.

5. The Hard Life: An Exegesis of Squalor. London: Macgibbon & Kee, 1961. First edition of the author's fourth novel. Original boards; dust jacket.

Together, five volumes, octavo and original wrappers except as noted. Condition varies; overall very good.