BIRMINGHAM, George A. Spanish Gold (Rare in fine dust-jacket)

London: Methuen & Co., 1935. Thirty-first edition. Crown octavo. pp. vi, 310. Publisher’s tan cloth, title in blue on upper cover and spine, ruled in blue. With the original pictorial dust jacket designed by Frank Marston (priced 2/6 net). Light spotting to prelims and edges. Cloth fresh, dust jacket with only minor edge wear. A near fine copy.
First published in 1908, this was one of Birmingham’s most popular novels, running to over thirty editions within three decades. It established him as a leading Anglo-Irish novelist of the early twentieth century, praised for his lively humour and satirical portrayal of Irish life. Copies in fine original dust jacket from are very scarce.
George A. Birmingham was the pseudonym of James Owen Hannay (1865-1950), an Irish clergyman and prolific novelist. Spanish Gold was his breakthrough success, a light-hearted tale involving treasure-hunting adventures on the west coast of Ireland, interwoven with sharp social comedy. Its popularity was immediate; the first edition appeared in August 1908 and by 1913 sixteen editions had already been printed. The book went on to enjoy international success, translated into several European languages, and adapted for the stage. The illustrated dust jacket by Frank Marston adds to its appeal, capturing the nautical spirit of the story.

[CAT 162]