Performing Flea. A Self-Portrait in Letters. With an Introduction and Additional Notes by W. Townend. WODEHOUSE, P. G.

First edition, presentation copy, inscribed by the author to his biographer and bibliographer, David A. Jasen, "To David from P. G. Wodehouse", to the half title page. David A. Jasen (1937-2022), ragtime scholar, performer, and a leading Wodehouse authority, shared a passion for music with the prolific humourist who was also famed during his lifetime as a musical lyricist. Jasen produced multiple groundbreaking publications on Wodehouse, and his personal bond with the author was immortalized when Jasen became the dedicatee of Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves (1963). This collection of Wodehouse's personal letters takes its title from Seán O'Casey's jibe, "If England has any dignity left in the way of literature she will forget for ever the pitiful antics of English literature's performing flea" (The Daily Telegraph). Jasen 74a; McIlvaine A76a. The Daily Telegraph, 8 July 1941. Octavo. Photographic portrait frontispiece. Original blue boards, spine lettered in gilt, facsimile Wodehouse signature to front cover in gilt, publisher's device in blind to rear cover. With dust jacket. Spine lightly toned, ends bumped, a few spots of foxing to fore edge; jacket rubbed, shallow loss at head of spine, extremities a little chipped, a few short closed tears, vertical crease to spine, unclipped: a very good copy in like jacket.