THE TWO SISTERS ... With a Foreword by Edward Garnett. London: Jonathan Cape Limited, [1926]. Octavo, pp. [1-6] 7-320, original maroon cloth, spine panel stamped in gold, bottom edge untrimmed. First edition. The authors' second book and first published novel. The prolific Bates was primarily a writer of short stories and in this field he was highly regarded by David Garnett and Graham Greene, among others. His style has been traced to the influence of Conrad (and thus of Henry James) and Stephen Crane, but his subject matter is definitely British, concentrating on the lives and tragedies of rural workers, occasionally touching on the theme of madness. Bates' stories appeared frequently in Edward J. O'Brien's annual anthology series, BEST BRITISH SHORT STORIES. NCBEL IV 520. Gawsworth, Ten Contemporaries II, p. 24. Neat owner's initials at top of front free endpaper. Top edge a bit dusty, a nearly fine copy in very good pictorial dust jacket with shelf wear and rubbing at edges, some age-darkening, and old internal tape mends at spine ends. (#128151).
Price: $350.00
"FIRST PUBLISHED IN MCMXXVI" on copyright page.