The Week-end Book.
London: The Nonesuch Press, 1924. 12mo. First edition. (June 1924). Original dark blue-green cloth, gilt. Bottom edge untrimmed. Games boards, for draughts and nine men's morris, on endpapers. (Dreyfus 15a). Corner tips and spine ends gently pushed. Free endpapers browned as usual. Near fine. Item #5942
The Week-end Book was the greatest commercial success for the Nonesuch Press. Virginia Woolf commented that, 'The Hogarth Press may not make money - but at least we did not publish The Week-end Book'. The numerous publishers who rejected Harry Potter might be consoling themselves with similar thoughts. The direct consequence of an Italian walking tour with rucksacks stuffed with books, The Week-end Book contains poems (about half the book), a list of great poems NOT in the book, songs, recipes, first aid in divers crises (with a concoction pre-empting Viagra), blank pages for the owner's additions and a section on 'Play!' mostly compiled by Eleanor Farjeon and written as if a group of friends were discussing what to do next, with dialogue including, 'What a wet blanket you are, Lucian! I'm ready for Simply Anything!' Guests at the book's launch party had the unexpected pleasure of watching H. G. Wells engage in the newly invented game of Tishy-Toshy.
Price: £20.00