WODEHOUSE, P.G. The Coming of Bill.

Eugenics and Germophobia

WODEHOUSE, P.G. The Coming of Bill. London: Herbert Jenkins. 1920.

8vo. Publisher’s red cloth, black borders to upper board, upper board and spine lettered in black; pp. 251, [1 (blank)], [4 (advertisements)]; spine darkened, boards slightly rubbed; light spotting to endpapers; otherwise a very good copy; early ownership inscription ‘Galpin’ to front free endpaper.

First UK edition, first printing of Wodehouse’s only serious novel.

Originally published in the American Munsey’s Magazine as The White Hope in May 1914, and first issued in book form by the New York publisher Boni & Liveright as Their Mutual Child five years later, this story is often described as Wodehouse’s only serious novel. The story deals with the young Bill, whose eugenicist, germophobic aunt attempts to interfere with his upbringing.

McIlvaine A23b.

SKU: 2126269