Black Mischief - Evelyn Waugh 1932 - Chapman and Hall Ltd., London - First Edition ‘'We, Seth, Emperor of Azania, Chief of the Chiefs of Sakuyu, Lord of Wanda and Tyrant of the Seas, Bachelor of the Arts of Oxford University, being in this the twenty-fourth year of our life, summoned by the wisdom of Almighty God and the unanimous voice of our people to the throne of our ancestors, do hereby proclaim . . .' Seth paused in his dictation and gazed out across the harbour where in the fresh breeze of early morning the last dhow was setting sail for the open sea.

A superb copy, in a lovely example of the dust jacket which is notoriously prone to both toning, and also fading of the red vignettes on the spine and front panel.

First edition of Waugh’s satyrical novel set in Africa. Chronicling the efforts of the English-educated Emperor Seth, assisted by a fellow Oxford graduate, Basil Seal, to modernise his kingdom. Believed to have been a satire on Abyssinia, where Waugh spent time as a reporter, and Haile Selassie, although Waugh denied this.
  Octavo (book size 19.3x13.2cm), pp. vii [1] 9-303 [1]. In publisher’s red and black snakeskin-patterned cloth, spine lettered in gilt, all edges trimmed. Dust jacket priced ‘7/6 NET’ to spine.   Condition: Fine but for one or two spots to outer edges of text block, in near fine dust jacket, spine gently toned with minor wear to ends and minor fading to red logo.   Ref: 111376   Price: HK$ 7,000