'Observations' First Edition Book 1926 by Max Beerbohm Signed

Observations by Max Beerbohm, First Edition published in 1926 by William Heinemann Ltd, London

Limited edition, one of 280 copies numbered and signed by Beerbohm. This copy numbered 23.

Original green cloth, lettered in gilt on the front cover and spine, all edges gilt. Covers are in very condition as is the spine. The joints are tight and show no splitting. The dust jacket in a mylar cover is devoid tears or creases with minor loss at the bottom of the spine. Both the text block and dust jacket are in a remarkably good condition for a book nearing antiquarian status.

Fifty-one caricatures reproduced in black and white, with a colour frontispiece of Lord Balfour mounted on heavy grey paper, protected by labelled tissue guards, with an additional print (signed Max) in pocket at rear cover as issued. Included are two famous caricatures of George Bernard Shaw and, among others, those of Lloyd George, HG Wells, Joseph Conrad, Osbert and Sacheverell Sitwell, Lytton Strachey and Rudyard Kipling.

Max Beerbohm (1872-1956) was an English caricaturist, writer, and wit whose drawings and parodies, never with malice, always with civility, were unique in depicting whatever he felt was pretentious, affected, or absurd in the famous and fashionable of his day. In spite of his caricaturing successive generations of the Royal Family, he was knighted by George VI in 1939. Using the persona of a blustering John Bull, Beerbohm attacked British imperialism with vengeance. Another target for his ire was Rudyard Kipling.