Description

• Third novel of significant Australian novelist Patrick White [1912-1990], still the only Australian to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature [1973].
• Scarce with the intact dustjacket featuring a monochrome reproduction of the striking artwork Figure In A Garden [The Aunt] by internationally-acclaimed Australian cubist [& White’s lover] Roy De Maistre [1894-1968]. Their relationship aside, this 1945 painting is particularly significant as it inspired White in his creation of the titular character.
• While 4,000 copies were originally printed, positive reader response was slower than anticipated & about half of these were remaindered [Hubber & Smith, E].
• London, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1948 [First UK Ed]. Octavo, [vi], 346 pages. Dark blue cloth with gilt lettering to the spine [base lightly scuffed], surface wrinkling to front & rear boards, corners softly rounded, spine slightly canted, owner name in pen, dealer sticker [F.W. Preece Ltd, Booksellers, Adelaide], gutter a little separated at title page; a very good copy in the scarce dustjacket in good condition [price-clipped, numerous chips and tears including loss to head & base of spine, spine browned, light discolouration to base near spine, minor spots to rear].