P. G. Wodehouse

A group of six volumes, comprising:

WODEHOUSE, P. G. (1881-1975). A Prefect’s Uncle. London: Adam & Charles Black, 1903.  
Author’s second book, first edition. Correct first issue without the terminal ads. McIlvaine A2(a).
Octavo. Frontispiece and 7 illustrations by R. Noel Pocock (short split to one illustration in gutter, light spotting to title). Original pictorial red cloth, upper cover and spine decorated and with titles stamped in blue, black, cream and gilt (light wear to corners, endpapers browned).

— The Pothunters. London: Adam & Charles Black, 1902.  
Wodehouse’s first book, first edition. McIlvaine A1(a). Octavo. Frontispiece and 9 illustrations by R. Noel Pocock (light scattered spotting). Original blue cloth, spine and upper cover with title and decoration of a chalice stamped in silver (head- and tailcap a little bruised, faint edge wear, endpapers browned). Provenance: Willie Grieve (gift inscription to on front free endpaper, dated Xmas 1902) — Frits Menschaar (no internal evidence of provenance).

— Tales of St. Austin’s. London: Adam & Charles Black, 1903.  
First edition. McIlvaine A3(a). Octavo. Frontispiece and 11 illustrations by T. M. R. Whitwell, R. Noel Pocock and E. F. Skinner, 1 leaf of publisher’s ads at end (light spotting to half-title). Original red cloth, upper cover and spine with illustration stamped in black, blue and yellow, lettered in gilt (extremities very lightly rubbed). Provenance: Frits Menschaar (no internal evidence of provenance).

— The White Feather. London: Adam & Charles Black, 1907.  
First edition. McIlvaine A82. Octavo. Frontispiece and 11 illustrations by W. Townsend, 4 leaves of publisher’s ads at end. Original brown cloth, upper cover and spine lettered and with illustration stamped in brown, black, white, gilt (lightly rubbed and stained); housed in modern brown cloth slipcase. Provenance: Bruce Male (inscription on front free endpaper, dated 24/5/1919). 

— The Gold Bat. London: Adam & Charles Black, 1904.  
First edition. McIlvaine A4(a). Octavo. Frontispiece and 7 full-page illustrations by T. M. R. Whitwell (a few small marginal tears to frontispiece). Original red cloth, spine and upper cover with title and illustration in gilt, black, and blue (head of spine lightly bruised, extremities lightly rubbed). Provenance: Frits Menschaar (no internal evidence of provenance).

— The Head of Kay’s. London: Adam & Charles Black, 1905.  
First edition. McIlvaine A6(a). Octavo. Frontispiece and 7 illustrations by T. M. R. Whitwell. Original red cloth, spine and upper cover with gilt lettering and pictorial decoration stamped in black, gilt and blue, printed image of Wodehouse paste to inside cover (extremities lightly worn, some faint marks, spine a touch faded, endpapers lightly browned, hinges starting). Provenance: small bookseller’s printed label to front pastedown — Frits Menschaar (no internal evidence of provenance).