STRACHEY, Richard. Many Happy Returns. London: Constable. 1933. 8vo. First edition. Publisher’s blue boards lettered in purple to spine, in the dust jacket designed, according to the front flap, by the author’s wife, Frances Esmé. Very good. The boards clean and bright, the binding tight and square. Some spots to textblock edges, the contents generally fine. The dust jacket unclipped (7/6 net), slightly nicked, rubbed and creased at extremities, small chip to rear panel top corner.
His second novel, Strachey was the only son of Ralph Strachey, the elder brother of Lytton—Richard was purportedly his favourite nephew. He is perhaps best remembered if at all for his charming children’s book series, Little Reuben. This novel a relatively intimate portrait of Bloomsbury types whose lives ‘are only meaningless because so many are afraid to give it meaning’. As with most of his work—and hence the children’s books—he seems to be preoccupied with childhood. Strachey would later publish two memoirs of his growing up first in India and as a boarder at Warwick. Like many in their circle, his wife and jacket illustrator, Frances Esmé Rudd Strachey was a painter and gardener.
STRACHEY, Richard. Many Happy Returns. London: Constable. 1933. 8vo. First edition. Publisher’s blue boards lettered in purple to spine, in the dust jacket designed, according to the front flap, by the author’s wife, Frances Esmé. Very good. The boards clean and bright, the binding tight and square. Some spots to textblock edges, the contents generally fine. The dust jacket unclipped (7/6 net), slightly nicked, rubbed and creased at extremities, small chip to rear panel top corner.
His second novel, Strachey was the only son of Ralph Strachey, the elder brother of Lytton—Richard was purportedly his favourite nephew. He is perhaps best remembered if at all for his charming children’s book series, Little Reuben. This novel a relatively intimate portrait of Bloomsbury types whose lives ‘are only meaningless because so many are afraid to give it meaning’. As with most of his work—and hence the children’s books—he seems to be preoccupied with childhood. Strachey would later publish two memoirs of his growing up first in India and as a boarder at Warwick. Like many in their circle, his wife and jacket illustrator, Frances Esmé Rudd Strachey was a painter and gardener.
