[Signed] Billy Liar and Billy Liar on the Moon signed by the author with programme Waterhouse, Keith [Near Fine] [Hardcover]

London: Michael Joseph, (1959-1975). First editions, first printings. These are very near fine copies. Billy Liar's wrapper, designed by William Belcher, has some light handling marks to both panels and very light shelf wear. It has not been price clipped (13s 6d net) and is free from inscriptions. The text blocks are immaculate. Billy Liar on the Moon has very little wear to note, aside from some slight shelf wear. It is a touch sunned at the spine and has not been price clipped (£3.00 net). The author's signature is flat signed in black ink to the full title page. It is free from additional inscriptions and the text blocks are bright and white throughout. Accompanying the books is an original theatre programme dating from 1960, the first stage production of the novel which took place at Cambridge Theatre. It is illustrated by Denis Wrigley. Inside, there are details of the cast (Albert Finney & Mona Washbourne etc). This is a nice piece of ephemera which only improves this small collection. The semi-comical story is about William Fisher, a working-class 19-year-old living with his parents in the fictional town of Stradhoughton in Yorkshire. Bored by his job as a lowly clerk for an undertaker, Billy spends his time indulging in fantasies and dreams of life in the big city as a comedy writer. The sequel is a continuation of that, as Billy Fisher continued to live in a fantasy world of his own.