descriptive bibliography of
Denis Mackail’s books
What next? (1920)
dedication: ‘To Diana’
James Grant, newly demobilized, discovers that his deceased millionaire uncle’s fortune has vanished in a joint speculation with Sir Adolf Lloyd. This is especially galling as it seems to have made Mr Metcalfe Steele forbid his daughter Mary to see Jim again! Encouraged and assisted by his canny manservant, Lush, who is also ex-army, Jim sets about multiplying his meagre inheritance and in doing so exposes a related war-time treason of the same Sir Lloyd and his son, thus restoring his inheritance.
What next? / by Denis Mackail. – London : John Murray, 1920. – 293 p. ; 20 cm.
WHAT NEXT? | BY | DENIS MACKAIL || LONDON | JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET | 1920
123×189 mm: [A]8
B–U8,
crown 8vo (132×196×39 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], paste-down; [iii–iv], blank;
[v–vi], half-title, verso blank;
[vii–viii], title, verso rights reservation;
[ix–x], dedication, verso blank;
[xi–xii], contents, verso blank;
1–293, text;
[294], imprint ‘Printed in Great Britain at | The Mayflower
Press, Plymouth, | William Brendon & Son Ltd.’;
[295–304], publisher’s announcements;
[305–306], blank;
[307–308], paste-down
issued in: tan cloth, lettered in black on front board within
fancy border and on spine; pastedown of first/last leaves of respective
signatures rather than true endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket not seen ]
published: in 1920-11 at
7/6
this was Denis Mackail’s very first piece of fiction writing, completed in some five weeks between office jobs; Murray took it after seven or so other publishers had ‘passed’
What next? / by Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1921. – 293 p. ; 20 cm.
WHAT NEXT? | BY | DENIS MACKAIL || BOSTON AND NEW YORK | HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN COMPANY | 1921
118×183 mm: [A]8
B–H8
[I]8
K–T8
U4,
8vo (128×191×40 mm)
contents:
[i–iv], blank;
[v–vi], half-title, verso blank;
[vii–viii], title, verso rights reservation;
[ix–x], dedication, verso blank;
[xi–xii], contents, verso blank;
1–293, text;
[294], imprint ‘Printed in Great Britain at | The Mayflower
Press, Plymouth | William Brendon & Son Ltd’;
[295–300], blank
issued in: tan cloth, lettered in black on front board and spine:
title within large question mark, ‘by’ forming the dot, above
author’s name; end papers of closer weave paper; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket not seen ]
published: in 1921
possibly Mackail’s agent, once he had one, was instrumental in obtaining American publication?
What next? / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, [1929]. – 320 p. ; 18 cm.
WHAT NEXT? | BY | DENIS MACKAIL || HODDER AND STOUGHTON | LIMITED LONDON
117×175 mm: [A]16
B–K16,
12mo (118×180×30 mm)
contents:
[1–2], title, verso has dedication, rights reservation and imprint
‘Made and printed in Great Britain for Hodder and Stoughton Limited
by | Wyman & Sons Ltd., London, Reading and Fakenham’;
3–5, preface;
6, contents;
7–320, text
issued in: scarlet cloth, lettered in black on spine with publisher’s
oval device and rules, publisher’s oval device and regency swag design
in blind on front board; yellow endpapers with reproduction of a pen-drawing
of trench and sitting-room scenes; all edges trimmed, top edge stained red;
[dust jacket not seen but presumably to H&S’s
2/‒ ‘yellow-jacket’
series standard, with lettering on yellow background surrounding
an illustration]
published: in 1929 at 2/‒ (?)
this reprint of Mackail’s first novel (for which H&S must have bought the rights from Murray, presumably after becoming Mackail’s regular publisher – see the summary in the checklist of books) includes a specially written preface in which the author marvels at the speed of its composition, compared with a more considered later approach, but confesses to a soft spot for the book as a means of escape from his previous world to a new one where he spends time with scenes and people of his own choice
Romance to the rescue (1921)
dedication: ‘To Diana’
Young David Lawrence is more than a little in love with Mrs Cartwright, separated from her husband for many years; novelist John Ormroyd is more than a little in love with the idea of writing for the theatre; and actor-manager Leo Cartwright, in love with himself as always, needs to find a new play to keep his backers in the Thespian Theatre happy. Mrs Cartwright has written a play, but using the pseudonym David Lawrence (she used to know his father), and her agents mistakenly send it to the one theatre she explicitly forbade them. But the magic of the Thespian Theatre distracts Ormroyd with an aspiring actress to look after and enables David and the new play to reconcile the estranged Cartwrights.
Romance to the rescue / by Denis Mackail. – London : John Murray, 1921. – 336 p. ; 20 cm.
ROMANCE TO THE | RESCUE || BY DENIS MACKAIL | AUTHOR OF “WHAT NEXT?” || LONDON | JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W. | 1921
122×188 mm: [1]8
2–228 including paste-downs,
crown 8vo (134×193×35 mm)
contents:
[i–ii] paste-down;
[iii–iv], blank leaf;
[v–vi], half-title, verso with brief blurb for
What next?;
[vii–viii], title, verso with reservation of rights and
USA copyright;
[ix–x], dedication, verso blank;
xi–[xii], contents with character disclaimer, verso blank;
1–336, text;
at foot of p. 336 imprint ‘Printed by Hazell, Watson
& Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury, England’;
[337–338], press opinions of
What next?, verso blank
issued in: brown cloth, lettered in black on front board within
fancy border and on spine; white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1921-09 at
7/6
Romance to the rescue / by Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1921. – 329 p. ; 20 cm.
[not seen]
Romance to the rescue / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, [1929]. – 351 p. ; 19 cm.
ROMANCE | TO THE RESCUE | BY | DENIS MACKAIL | [publisher’s monogram] | HODDER AND STOUGHTON | LIMTED LONDON
109×174 mm: [A]16
B–L16,
12mo (115×180×33 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso blank;
[3–4], title, verso with rights, USA
copyright and character disclaimer near top, imprint ‘Made and Printed
in Great Britain for Hodder & Stoughton, Limited, | by C. Tinling,
& Co., Ltd., Liverpool, London, and Prescot.’ at foot;
[5–6], dedication, verso blank;
7–[8], contents, verso blank;
9–351, text;
[352], blank
issued in: scarlet cloth, lettered in black on spine with
publisher’s oval device and rules, publisher’s oval device
and regency swag design in blind on front board; yellow endpapers with
reproduction of a pen-drawing of a spotlighted male actor taking a bow
before a packed theatre audience; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket not seen but presumably to H&S’s
2/‒ ‘yellow-jacket’
series standard, with lettering on yellow background surrounding
an illustration]
published: in 1929(-05?) at 2/‒ (?)
the text was reset for this cheap reprint, for which H&S must have bought the rights from John Murray, presumably after becoming Mackail’s regular publisher (see the summary in the checklist of books), however the lines contain the same word length and the differences between the texts seem to affect only pagination and the spacing between sections of each chapter
Bill the bachelor (1922)
Mr Alexander Fraser, Bill to his friends, is now partner in his family import-export business with George Lucas, but turning twenty-nine he feels that life is passing him by. Then a childhood friend from the ‘big house’ comes back into view and, simultaneously, strange business dealings start to occur. Soon Bill has all the life he can cope with.
Bill the bachelor / by Denis Mackail. – London : Heinemann, 1922. – 351 p. ; 19 cm.
BILL THE BACHELOR || By | DENIS MACKAIL | Author of | “What Next?” “Romance to the Rescue,” etc. || 19 [publisher’s windmill device on single rule] 22 | London · William Heinemann
122×186 mm: [A]8
B–Y8,
crown 8vo (133×191×32 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], blank leaf; [1–2], half-title, verso with list of
‘RECENT [Heinemann] FICTION’;
[3–4], title, verso blank;
[5–6], contents, verso blank;
7–351, text;
at foot of p. 351 imprint ‘THE LONDON AND
NORWICH PRESS, LIMITED, LONDON AND NORWICH, ENGLAND’;
[352], blank
issued in: red cloth, lettered in black on front board and spine,
publisher’s windmill device in black on rear board; white endpapers;
all edges trimmed; [dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1922-06 at
7/6
Bill the bachelor / by Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1922. – 351 p. ; 20 cm.
[not seen]
Bill the bachelor / by Denis Mackail. – Popular ed. – London : Heinemann, 1923. – 351 p. ; 19 cm.
[not seen]
published: in 1923-03 at
3/6
Bill the bachelor / by Denis Mackail. – Popular ed. – London : Heinemann, 1927. – 351 p. ; ? cm.
[not seen]
published: in 1927-07 at
2/‒
Bill the bachelor / by Denis Mackail. – Popular ed. repr. – London : Heinemann, 1934. – 351 p. ; 19 cm.
Bill The Bachelor | By | Denis Mackail | Author of | “What Next?” “Romance to the Rescue,” etc. || [publisher’s windmill device] || London | William Heinemann Ltd.
120×184 mm: [A]8
B–X8,
crown 8vo (131×189×37 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with list of Heinemann’s
3/6 library;
[3–4], title, verso with publication history and imprint ‘Printed
in Great Britain at the Windmill Press’;
[5–6], contents, verso blank;
7–351, text;
[352], blank
issued in: mid-green cloth, lettered in black on front board with edge
rule and on spine, publisher’s windmill device in black on rear board;
cream endpapers; all edges trimmed;
dust jacket on off-white paper, coated one side, the front lettered top and foot
with title and author in magenta separated by coloured drawing of Bill about
to buy some ‘furry yellow chickens’ for niece Sylvia from the
‘belated hawker’ (pp. 120–121),
signed ‘Robin’,
title and drawing against large thin-line magenta and cyan circles,
spine wording separated by wide magenta rules,
rear with ‘A selection from Heinemann’s 3s. 6d.
library’
published: in 1923-03 at
3/6,
reprinted 1934 (see comment below)
despite the odd layout of the publishing history on the 1934 title-page verso,
with ‘1934’ squeezed between ‘1923’ and ‘1927’,
this is not a misprint, since Beauvallet by Georgette
Heyer, first published 1929, is among the titles listed as being in the
3/6
series, as are other post-1927 titles such as Cimarron
(1930) by Edna Ferber and Dark mile (1929) by
D. K. Broster;
this 1934 popular ed. issue is very similar to the 1926 ‘popular’
edition of
The ‘Majestic’ mystery
and is presumably this publisher’s standard
3/6 format;
the one dust jacket seen has had a paper sticker proclaiming
‘4/6 net’ pasted
over the original ‘3/6
net’
a peculiarity of the text is the spelling of the heroine’s name as ‘Leslie’, as opposed to the present convention of spelling the feminine form as ‘Lesley’
According to Gibson (1923)
In each chapter, the novelist (a first-person narrative frame) meets Henry Gibson, who is reminded by their circumstances of an extremely unlikely event in his life, which he relates with relish. These incredible tales are only finally terminated by Gibson’s need to flee London, but he sends a surprising letter to explain his disappearance for ever.
According to Gibson / by Denis Mackail. – London : Heinemann, 1923. – 287 p. ; 20 cm.
ACCORDING TO | GIBSON || BY | DENIS MACKAIL || [publisher’s windmill device] || LONDON | WILLIAM HEINEMANN, LTD.
122×189 mm: [A]4
B–T8,
crown 8vo (135×195×34 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], blank, verso with list ‘BY THE SAME
AUTHOR’;
[iii–iv], half-title, verso with list of ‘NEW
[Heinemann] FICTION’;
[v–vi], title, verso with date and imprint ‘PRINTED
IN GREAT BRITAIN. | CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND GRIGGS
(PRINTERS), LTD. | TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON’;
[vii–viii], contents, verso blank;
1–[288], text;
at foot of p. [288] imprint, ‘CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES
WHITTINGHAM AND GRIGGS (PRINTERS), LTD. | TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY
LANE, LONDON’
issued in: red cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, publisher’s
windmill device blind stamped on rear board; white endpapers; top and
fore-edges trimmed; [dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1923-04 at
7/6;
new impression 1923-06
According to Gibson / by Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1923. – 287 p. ; 19 cm.
[not seen – NUC reports ‘Printed in Great Britain’]
Contents
- The invention of Professor Salt (pages 1–23)
- Gibson and the ghost (pages 24–51)
- Gibson and the rivals (pages 52–79)
- The story of Colonel Turpentine (pages 80–103)
- Gibson and the specialist (pages 104–133)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1922-10 - The mystery of the managing director (pages 134–161)
- Gibson and the wager (pages 162–193)
reprinted in The Strand magazine dated 1923-06 - Gibson and the blue emerald (pages 194–227)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1922-09 - The strange behaviour of Henry Gibson (pages 228–258)
- Gibson’s last words (pages 259–288)
Summertime (1923)
dedication: ‘To Diana’
Tells the story of David Lawrence’s ten months as an art student in Chelsea, living in furnished lodgings and dreaming of Anne Drummond, whom he meets through his friend Stephen Shand. Her family life is still blighted by the death of her brother Robin in the Great War and she is blindly seeking some way out. Their encounter leads both Anne and David to grow up by the end of the summer.
Summertime / by Denis Mackail. – London : Heinemann, 1923. – 343 p. ; 20 cm.
SUMMERTIME || BY | DENIS MACKAIL || [publisher’s windmill device] || LONDON | WILLIAM HEINEMANN, LTD.
119×189 mm: [A]4
B–Y8
Z4,
crown 8vo (131×196×33 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with list of books ‘by the same
author’ in single-rule box;
[iii–iv], title, verso with date and imprint ‘PRINTED IN
ENGLAND BY RICHARD CLAY & SONS, LTD., | BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.’;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
vii–[viii], contents, verso blank;
1–[344], text;
at foot of p. [344] note in square brackets
‘The earlier adventures of David Lawrence may be found in |
Romance to the rescue, by the same author.’
issued in: drab-green cloth, lettered and ruled in black on spine and
front board, publisher’s windmill device blind stamped on rear board;
white endpapers; top and fore-edges trimmed; [dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1923-08 at
7/6
Summertime / by Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1924. – 343 p. ; 20 cm.
[not seen]
according to a note in NUC the American edition went into a 2nd impression
Summertime / by Denis Mackail. – [Popular/cheap ed.?]. – London : Heinemann, 1926?. – 343? p. ; 20 cm.
[not seen; listed among ‘Heinemann’s
3/6 library’ on
half-title verso of 1934
Bill the bachelor]
published: in 1926?? at
3/6
The Majestic mystery (1924)
Two journalists, Peter Langley and James Vincent, are recuperating from winter colds at the Majestic Hotel in Newcliff-on-Sea one February when they get mixed up in a murder mystery: Peter is on the scene just after Howard Impey, theatrical impresario, is shot, in Kenneth Paisley’s hotel room, the night before the opening of the latter’s new play, starring the beautiful Anna Worthington. Peter is unimpressed with the police investigation, so he and James follow their own leads and uncover several vital clues, in which the police don’t seem to be very interested. The inquest concludes that it was an accidental shooting by a now vanished hoodlum, but Peter remains unconvinced… although with the evidence pointing so many different ways, will he believe the incredible truth when he discovers it?
The ‘Majestic’ mystery / by Denis Mackail. – London : Heinemann, 1924. – 311 p. ; 20 cm.
The | [italic word:] Majestic Mystery | by | Denis Mackail | [publisher’s windmill device] || London | William Heinemann, Ltd.
122×189 mm: [A]4
B–U8
X4,
crown 8vo (134×195×35 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], blank leaf;
[iii–iv], half-title, verso with list of ‘novels by the same author’;
[v–vi], title, verso with date and imprint ‘Printed in Great Britain
by R. Clay & Sons, Ltd., Bungay, Suffolk.’;
vii–[viii], contents, verso blank;
[1]–311, text;
[312], blank
issued in: royal blue cloth, lettered in black on front board and
spine, with question-marks lettered diagonally in the four corners of front
board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1924-09 at
7/6;
reprinted 1924-11
judging by the lettered question marks in the corners of the front board and the blue cloth (where all Mackail’s other first editions from Heinemann are in green or red cloth) the binding may be the publisher’s convention for the mystery and detective genre (can anyone confirm that for me, please?); note also that there is no Heinemann ‘windmill’ device stamped on the back board of this edition
The Majestic mystery / by Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1924. – 309 p. ; 20 cm.
THE MAJESTIC MYSTERY | BY | DENIS MACKAIL | Author of “Romance to the Rescue,” “Bill the Bachelor” | “Summertime,” etc. | [publisher’s Pan device] || BOSTON AND NEW YORK | HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY | The Riverside Press Cambridge | 1924
124×187 mm: [1–18]8
196,
8vo (134×192×30 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso blank;
[iii–iv], title, verso with copyright and imprint ‘The Riverside
Press | CAMBRIDGE · MASSACHUSETTS | PRINTED IN THE
U.S.A.’;
[v–vi], contents, verso blank;
[1]–309, text;
[310], blank
issued in: scarlet cloth, lettered in black on front board and
spine in an ornate script font (except publisher name roman);
white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1924
a cursory inspection of the opening chapter shows a few changes in punctuation (e.g. of qualifying clauses and the use of quotation marks instead of italic for the periodical title names) but otherwise use of the same text
The ‘Majestic’ mystery / by Denis Mackail. – Popular ed. – London : Heinemann, 1926. – 311 p. ; 19 cm.
The | [italic word:] Majestic Mystery | by | Denis Mackail | [publisher’s windmill device] || London | William Heinemann, Ltd.
120×184 mm: [A]8
B–U8,
crown 8vo (132×188×35 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with list of novels by the same author;
[iii–iv], title, verso with dates and imprint ‘Printed in Great
Britain at the Windmill Press’;
[v–vi], contents, verso blank;
[1]–311, text;
[312], blank
issued (1934) in: mid-green cloth, lettered in black on front
board, with border, and on spine, publisher’s windmill device in black
on rear board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed; [dust jacket not
seen]
published: in 1926-05 (at
3/6);
reprinted 1927-05 and 1934-01
on the title-pages of the British edition the word ‘Majestic’ is in italic: as the ISBD is designed for citations using a single type-face, the emphasis there is made with quotation marks; on the American edition the word is not distinguished at all on the title page!; the name itself suggests, of course, an ocean liner of the White Star company, rather than the fictional hotel – at least the meaning is made plain in the first sentence of the text (this possible confusion always puts me in mind of Freeman Wills Crofts’s The 12.30 from Croydon (1934) which, having been brought up much later in south London, I took to refer to a train, rather than a flight from London’s early international airport – which was usurped by Heathrow after the second world war)
Greenery Street (1925)
dedication: ‘To Diana’
The touching, but at times comic, story of Ian and Felicity Foster, newly-married, getting to grips with upper-middle class life in London at their new home, no. 23, Greenery Street. Their trials and tribulations with relatives, friends, servants and money take some sorting out but do eventually lead to a strengthening of their love.
Greenery Street / by Denis Mackail. – London : Heinemann, 1925. – 306 p. ; 20 cm.
GREENERY STREET || BY | DENIS MACKAIL || [publisher’s
windmill device] || LONDON | WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD
122×189 mm: [A]8
B–U8,
crown 8vo (132×194×32 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with list of ‘novels by the same
author’;
[iii–iv], title, verso with dates ‘First published June 1925, new
impression July 1925’ and imprint ‘Printed in Great Britain by
Wyman & Sons, Ltd., London, Fakenham and Reading.’;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
[vii–viii], contents, verso blank;
1–[307], text;
[308], blank;
[309–312], small mock title pages for four of the author’s previous
novels, with quotes from press reviews above and below
issued in: dark-green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule
in blind on front board, publisher’s windmill device blind stamped on
rear board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket not seen, but features an E. H. Shepard coloured
drawing of Ian and Felicity looking at a ‘to be let’ signboard
outside a house, with hand-drawn lettering above (title) and below
(author)]
published: 1925-06 at
7/6;
new impressions 1925-07 and 1925-10
Greenery Street / by Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1925. – 273 p. ; 20 cm.
[not seen]
Greenery Street / by Denis Mackail. – Cheap ed. – London : Heinemann, 1927. – 306 p. ; 20 cm.
GREENERY STREET || BY | DENIS MACKAIL || [publisher’s windmill device] || LONDON | WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD
122×187 mm: [A]8
B–U8,
crown 8vo (132×192×35 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], [not seen, presumed to be half-title, verso with list of
novels by the same author];
[iii–iv], title, verso with dates and imprint ‘Printed in Great Britain
by | Wyman & Sons, Ltd., London, Fakenham and Reading.’;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
[vii–viii], contents, verso blank;
1–[307], text;
[308], blank;
[309–312], small mock title pages for four of the author’s previous
novels, with quotes from press reviews above and below
issued in: scarlet cloth, lettered in black on spine and back board
(publisher’s windmill device only), border rule in blind on front board;
white endpapers; all edges trimmed; [dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1927 at 3/6
the designation of this as the ‘cheap’ edition and the later 2/‒ one as ‘popular’ reverses Heinemann’s nomenclature of most of their other Mackail titles, where the ‘popular’ edition is the one at 3/6; the text of this edition was reprinted in the Heinemann anthology The omnibus book (1929)
Greenery Street / by Denis Mackail. – Popular ed. – London : Heinemann, 1929. – 306 p. ; 18 cm.
GREENERY STREET || BY | DENIS MACKAIL || [publisher’s windmill device] || LONDON | WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD
116×171 mm: A–K16,
12mo (120×177×24 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with list of ‘novels by the same
author’ (updated to 1928);
[iii–iv], title, verso with editions’ history (reset) and imprint
‘Printed in Great Britain at | The Windmill Press, Kingswood,
Surrey.’;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
[vii–viii], contents, verso blank;
[ix–x], fly-title, verso blank;
1–[307], text;
[308], blank;
[309–310], blank
issued in: drab olive green cloth, lettered in black on front board, with
border rule, on spine and on back board (publisher’s windmill device
only); white endpapers; all edges trimmed; [dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1929 at 2/‒
the text of this edition is from the earlier editions; this is the only Mackail issue I have seen which is printed on 100% wood-pulp paper, by now of course yellowing considerably – although the Penguin edition of the same title (next below) runs it a close second! the ninth page (recto of the fifth leaf) of each signature is marked with the signature letter starred
Greenery Street / by Denis Mackail. – Harmondsworth : Penguin Books, 1937. – 280 p. ; 19 cm. – (Penguin books ; 87)
GREENERY STREET | BY | DENIS MACKAIL || [publisher’s
device] | PENGUIN BOOKS LIMITED | HARMONDSWORTH MIDDLESEX
ENGLAND
110×182 mm: [A]16
B–I16,
paperback A format (110×182×15 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with publisher’s note about their mailing
list;
[3–4], title, verso with dates and imprint ‘Made and printed in Great
Britain for Penguin Books Limited by Purnell and Sons, Ltd., Paulton (Somerset)
and London’;
[5–6], dedication, verso blank;
7–280, text;
[281–288], advertisements, new Penguins, complete list of Penguins to
March 1939
issued in: card covers in publisher’s house-style: standard design in
orange and white; all edges trimmed; paper dust jacket repeats cover design
published: 1937-03 at 6d.;
reprinted 1937-09, 1938-02,
1939-04
Greenery Street / by Denis Mackail. – London : Tom Stacey Reprints, 1972. – 306 p. ; 23 cm. – ISBN 0-85468-136-1
GREENERY STREET | by | Denis Mackail || [publisher’s
device] | TOM STACEY
137×215 mm: [A]16
B–K16,
demy 8vo (147×224×33 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with dust jacket blurb;
[iii–iv], title, verso with publisher details, note ‘First published
1925’ and imprint ‘Printed in Great Britain by C. Tinling
& Co. Ltd., Prescot and London.’;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
[vii–viii], contents, verso blank;
1–[307], text;
[308], blank;
[309–310], list of Tom Stacey reprints;
[311–312], blank leaf
issued in: black cloth, lettered in silver gilt on spine; white
endpapers; all edges trimmed; dust jacket on white paper coated one side
with black and white lettering and black bunch of flowers design on vivid
pink background
published: 1972 at £1.80 (equivalent of pre-decimal
36/‒)
the text is photolitho reprint of the Hodder original; aimed at the general public as well as the library reprint market, Tom Stacey Reprints seem to have concentrated on works from the first half of the twentieth century: sales my not have been very high as the sample copy seems to have been remaindered in Woolworths at £0.35 (equivalent to 7/‒ pre-decimalization, roughly the same figure as the first edition!)
Greenery Street / by Denis Mackail ; with a new preface by Rebecca Cohen. – London : Persephone Books, 2002. – xvi, 372 p. ; 20 cm., pbk. – (Persephone books ; 35). – ISBN 1-903155-25-8
GREENERY STREET | by | DENIS MACKAIL | [five rose devices] | with a new preface | by | REBECCA COHEN || PERSEPHONE BOOKS | LONDON | [publisher’s device]
133×195 mm: [1–11]16
[12]4,
[13]16,
stiff card (138×195×32 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with publication details, including
‘Typeset in ITC Baskerville by Keystroke, Jacaranda Lodge,
Wolverhampton’, and imprint ‘Printed and bound by Biddles Ltd,
Guildford and King’s Lynn’;
[iii–iv], title, verso blank;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
vii–xvi, preface;
[xvii–xviii], fly-title, verso blank;
1–372, text;
[373–374], blank, verso with publisher’s catalogue advert
issued in: stiff card in publisher’s house-style: silver-grey
background, small title panel in cream centre right of cover and centre
of spine, lettered in black within single rule;
Persephone
colophon at foot of front, back and spine; series number centre left of back;
glossy endpapers, here with colour reproduction of block printed cretonne
designed by George H. Willis for the Silver Studio (1925);
all edges trimmed;
dust jacket repeats cover design on stiff paper;
published: late autumn 2002 at £10.00,
subscriber copies supplied with bookmark (front with endpaper pattern,
rear with a short passage from the novel) and with postcard reproducing
E. H. Shepard’s original jacket design
Rebecca Cohen’s preface outlines Mackail’s biography and the place in it of Walpole Street (the original source for Greenery Street)
The fortunes of Hugo (1926)
dedication: ‘To Diana’
A writer (a first-person narrative frame) is interrupted when a colleague foists the ebullient Hugo Peak onto him. Although rich, Hugo has to get an article published in order to persuade the newspaper magnate Lord Biggleswade that he is not an idle layabout but a suitable match for the ‘girl in a million’, Biggleswade’s daughter, Sally. Chapter by chapter the narrator learns from Hugo’s own lips, or suffers directly, the latter’s positively disastrous attempts to get something into print, until he is present at the occasion when Sally takes a decisive step.
The fortunes of Hugo / by Denis Mackail. – London : Heinemann, 1926. – 287 p. ; 20 cm.
THE | FORTUNES OF HUGO || BY | DENIS MACKAIL || [publisher’s windmill device] || LONDON | WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD.
123×187 mm: [A]8
B–S8,
crown 8vo (130×193×37 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with list of ‘Novels by the same
Author’;
[3–4], title, verso with date and imprint ‘Printed in Great Britain by |
Wyman & Sons, Ltd., London, Fakenham and Reading.’;
[5–6], dedication, verso blank;
[7–8], contents, verso blank;
[9]–287, text;
[288], blank;
[289–294], small mock title pages for five of the author’s previous
novels: starting with Greenery Street (verso
with press opinions), remainder with press quotes above and below
issued in: scarlet cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule in blind
on front board, publisher’s windmill device blind stamped on rear board; white
endpapers; all edges trimmed; [dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1926-09 at
7/6
The fortunes of Hugo / by Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1926. – 263 p. ; 20 cm.
THE | FORTUNES OF HUGO | BY | DENIS MACKAIL ||
[publisher’s device] || BOSTON AND NEW YORK | HOUGHTON
MIFFLIN COMPANY | The Riverside Press Cambridge | 1926
125×188 mm: [1–17]8,
crown 8vo (133×194×35 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso blank;
[iii–iv], title, verso with rights statement and imprint ‘The
Riverside Press, | CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS | PRINTED IN
THE U.S.A. |’;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
[vii–viii], contents, verso blank;
[1]–263, text;
[264], blank
issued in: red cloth, lettered in pale blue on front board and spine;
white endpapers; all edges trimmed; dust jacket on yellow paper with black
and red design of a gentleman and sports car, signed ‘Billie Chapman’,
on front, lettering with rules on spine
published: in 1926 (copyrighted on 1926-08-13)
at $2.00
The fortunes of Hugo / by Denis Mackail. – [Popular/cheap ed.?]. – London : Heinemann, 1928?. – 287? p. ; 20 cm.
[not seen; listed in ‘selection from Heinemann’s 3s. 6d.
library’ on dust jacket and half-title verso of 1934
Bill the bachelor]
published: in 1928?? at
3/6
Contents
- Hugo the sleuth (pages 9–37; 1–27 US)
first published in Hearst’s international c/w Cosmopolitan (US)
dated 1925-10
and in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine (UK) dated 1925-12 - The pocket nightingale (pages 38–62; 28–51 US)
first published in Hearst’s international c/w Cosmopolitan (US)
dated 1925-11
and in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine (UK) dated 1926-01 - The Todd Street ghost (pages 63–90; 52–77 US)
first published in Hearst’s international c/w Cosmopolitan (US)
dated 1925-12
and in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine (UK) dated 1926-03 - Feet of clay (pages 91–118; 78–104 US)
first published in Hearst’s international c/w Cosmopolitan (US)
dated 1926-01
and in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine (UK) dated 1926-04 - Hugo’s new suit (pages 119–146; 105–130 US)
first(?) published in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine (UK)
dated 1926-02 - As you were (pages 147–173; 131–155 US)
first(?) published in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine (UK)
dated 1926-09 - College days (pages 174–199; 156–179 US)
first published as Earn while you learn
in Hearst’s international c/w Cosmopolitan (US) dated 1926-02
and in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine (UK) dated 1926-05 - The intervention of Algernon (pages 200–230; 180–208 US)
first(?) published in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine (UK)
dated 1926-06 - Hugo in the underworld (pages 231–260; 209–237 US)
first(?) published in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine (UK)
dated 1926-07/8 - A girl in a million (pages 261–287; 238–263 US)
first published in Hearst’s international c/w Cosmopolitan (US)
dated 1926-03
and reprinted in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine (UK) dated 1926-10
The flower show (1927)
dedication: ‘To Diana’
In the course of one day, we discover much about the lives, past, present and future, of the inhabitants of the villages of Nutlington and Cherry Green as they hold their annual flower show and fair in the grounds of Nutlington Court. From sunrise to fireworks everyone is busy and, mostly, enjoying themselves, and everyone, even the bright young things in the parvenu 1912 house, is part of this typical English village.
The flower show / by Denis Mackail. – London : Heinemann, 1927. – 312 p. ; 20 cm.
THE FLOWER SHOW | by | DENIS MACKAIL | [floral bouquet
device] || LONDON | WILLIAM HEINEMANN | LIMITED
125×187 mm: [A]8
B–U8,
crown 8vo (134×194×38 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with list of ‘Novels by the Same
Author’;
[iii–iv], title, verso with date and imprint ‘Printed in Great
Britain by | Wyman & Sons, Ltd., London, Fakenham and Reading.’;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
[vii–viii], contents, verso blank;
[1]–312, text
issued in: mid-green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule in blind on
front board, publisher’s windmill device blind stamped on rear board;
endpapers with green drawing of a fairground and countryside panorama
(uncredited, apart from possible monogram across barley-twist border bottom right,
but of similar style to dust jacket drawing); all edges trimmed;
dust jacket on off-white paper with wrap-round (front, spine and back)
fairground design in red, green, blue and yellow fills on black line-drawing,
signed ‘Edie Morris’ front bottom right, with black and red lettering
at head of front and spine
published: in 1927-05 at
7/6;
new impression 1927-06
The flower show / by Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1927. – 341 p. ; 20 cm.
[not seen]
The flower show / by Denis Mackail. – Popular ed. – London : Heinemann, 1929. – 312 p. ; 20 cm.
THE FLOWER SHOW | by | DENIS MACKAIL | [floral bouquet device] || LONDON | WILLIAM HEINEMANN | LIMITED
121×187 mm: [A]8
B–U8,
crown 8vo (132×191×30 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with list of ‘Novels by the Same
Author’ [not updated from 1927];
[iii–iv], title, verso with date history and imprint ‘Printed in
Great Britain at The Windmill Press, Kingswood, Surrey.’;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
[vii–viii], contents, verso blank;
[1]–312, text
issued in: scarlet cloth, lettered in black on spine (title, small
device and author; publisher’s name at foot) and front board (title,
author and small device only), publisher’s windmill device in black
on rear board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1929 at
3/6
a copy of the first UK edition has been seen with a ‘Times Book Club’ sticker on the i.b.c. – I do not know whether the club still relied on remainders at this date or whether run-on printing was in use, however the index to A catalogue of books added to the library of the Times Book Club, 1915 to 1936 (London, 1936) shows that all Mackail’s books up to that point (that is to Back again) were available through the club, so presumably publishers were cooperating fully with it by the 1920s
Tales from Greenery Street (1928)
dedication: ‘To Diana’
Twelve individual stories about the inhabitants of various of the houses in Greenery Street, the location of small middle-class London dwellings to which we were first introduced in the novel of the same name. Like the Fosters, these are mostly young married couples, although number four has an exception in the form of Colonel Ashby. In the final story we see what happens when a family gets too large for their accommodation, by picking up the story of Ian and Felicity.
Tales from Greenery Street / by Denis Mackail. – London : Heinemann, 1928. – 400 p. ; 20 cm.
Tales from | Greenery Street | By | Denis Mackail ||
[publisher’s device] || London | William Heinemann Ltd.
121×186 mm: [A]8
B–Z8,
AA8,
BB4,
crown 8vo (132×192×38 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with list of ‘Novels by the same
Author’;
[iii–iv], title, verso with date and imprint ‘Printed in Great Britain at
The Windmill Press, Kingswood, Surrey.’;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
[vii–viii], contents, verso blank;
1–400, text
issued in: mid-green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule in
blind on front board, publisher’s windmill device blind stamped on rear board;
white endpapers; all edges trimmed, top edge stained green; dust jacket of
coated white paper with litho drawing (by E. H. Shepard?) of a young
couple (Ian and Felicity?) leaving their front-door with a ‘sold’
sign outside the house
published: in 1928-05 at
7/6
Tales from Greenery Street / by Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1928. – 400 p. ; 20 cm.
[not seen]
Tales from Greenery Street / by Denis Mackail. – [Popular/cheap ed.?]. – London : Heinemann, 1930??. – 400? p. ; 20? cm.
[not seen; listed among ‘Heinemann’s
3/6 library’ on
half-title verso of 1934
Bill the bachelor]
published: in 1930?? at
3/6
Tales from Greenery Street / by Denis Mackail. – Freeport, NY : Books for Libraries, 1970. – 400 p. ; 21 cm. – (Short story index reprints). – ISBN 0-8369-3727-9
Tales from | Greenery Street | By | Denis Mackail || Short Story Index Reprint Series || [publisher’s device] BOOKS FOR LIBRARIES PRESS | FREEPORT, NEW YORK
122×196 mm: [1–8]16
[9]8,
[10–11]16,
[12]4,
[13–14]16,
… 8vo (133×204×34 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso blank;
[iii–iv], title, verso with first published and reprinted dates,
ISBN and
LC card (75-140335)
numbers and imprint ‘PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA.’;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
[vii–viii], contents, verso blank;
1–400, text
issued in: pale blue cloth, lettered in silver gilt on royal blue panel
on spine, royal blue abstract designs above and below, publisher’s oval
logo at foot; publisher’s temple device in blind on front board; all
edges trimmed;
[dust jacket, if ever provided, not seen]
published: in 1970 at unknown price
the text of this reprint is photolithoed from an original edition, which matches the UK one (it is not yet known whether the original American edition was printed in the UK, printed from UK plates or re-set in the US); unusually the signature letters were not removed but, for much of the volume, a pair of original 8 page signatures matches one of the reprint’s 16 page ones
Contents
- Number nine – The Cubitts and their daughter
(pages 1–34)
first published in The royal magazine dated 1927-05 - Number twelve – The Hunters and their telephone
(pages 35–69)
first published in The royal magazine dated 1927-06 - Number twenty-seven – The Meiklejohns and their luck
(pages 70–103)
first published in The royal magazine dated 1927-07 - Numbers thirteen and fourteen – The Newmans and their neighbours
(pages 104–140)
first published in The royal magazine dated 1927-08 - Number twenty-one – The handy husband
(pages 141–174)
first published in The royal magazine dated 1927-09 - Number eighteen – The Lovetts and their dog
(pages 175–209)
first published in The royal magazine dated 1927-10 - Number four – An exception to the rule
(pages 210–243)
first published in The royal magazine dated 1927-11 - Number thirty-one – The Poultons and their party
(pages 244–276)
first published in The royal magazine dated 1927-12 - Number twenty-four – The behaviour of the Binghams
(pages 277–308)
first published in The royal magazine dated 1928-02 - Number thirty-five – The Sumners and their staff
(pages 309–340)
first published in The royal magazine dated 1928-01 - Number six – The little presents
(pages 341–371)
first published in The royal magazine dated 1928-03 - Number twenty-three – Good-bye to Greenery Street
(pages 372–400)
first published in The royal magazine dated 1928-04
the (UK) contents page incorrectly gives the house number of the Binghams, whose behaviour is related in chapter 9, as ‘Number thirty-four’ instead of ‘Number twenty-four’, but the chapter title (page 277) is correct, as confirmed by the original serial publication of the story; as the American edition may have been printed from the same setting (judging by the 1970 reprint) the same error probably appears there too
Another part of the wood (1929)
Miss Ursula Brett, known to her friends as Noodles, gets sent back to her seaside school by her miserly uncle after apparently encouraging improper advances from the persistent and slimy Mr Fitzgibbon. But her vivacious beauty and kind-heartedness lead her into further trouble and she runs away to join the seafront Pierrot players. Luckily, her brother (with his best friend ‘Snubs’), her aunt Mrs Millet, and her uncle’s neighbours Sylvia Shirley and Mrs Shirley, are all in Newcliff-on-Sea for the bank holiday weekend.
Another part of the wood / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1929. – 310 p. ; 19 cm.
ANOTHER PART OF | THE WOOD || BY | DENIS MACKAIL || HODDER AND STOUGHTON | LIMITED LONDON
122×183 mm: [A]8
B–U8,
crown 8vo (135×190×38 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with list of ‘NOVELS BY |
DENIS MACKAIL’;
[3–4], title, verso with date and with imprint below rule ‘Made and
printed in Great Britain by | Wyman & Sons, Ltd., London, Fakenham
and Reading.’;
[5–6], contents;
7–[311], text;
[312], blank;
[313–320], a selection from Hodder & Stoughton’s new and forthcoming
novels
issued in: dark green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule in
blind on front board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed, top edge stained
green; [dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1929-06 at
7/6;
reprinted 1929-07, 1929-08
and 1930-06
Another part of the wood / by Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1929. – 314 p. ; 20 cm.
ANOTHER PART OF | THE WOOD || BY | DENIS MACKAIL ||
[publisher’s device] || BOSTON AND NEW YORK | HOUGHTON
MIFFLIN COMPANY | The Riverside Press Cambridge | 1929
127×188 mm: [1–20]8,
… 8vo (136×194×36 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso blank;
[iii–iv], title, verso with copyright statement and imprint ‘The
Riverside Press | CAMBRIDGE · MASSACHUSETTS |
PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.’;
[v]–vi, contents;
[1–2], fly-title, verso blank;
[3]–314, text
issued in: orange cloth, lettered in black on spine and front board,
border rule in black on front board, rule in black at head and foot of spine;
white endpapers; top and foot edges trimmed, top edge stained grey-green;
dust jacket on semi-coated heavyweight paper with deco design in black, red
and green by Jack Perkins showing a girl full face, against a hill with trees
published: in 1929 at $2.50
Another part of the wood / by Denis Mackail. – 5th and popular ed. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1931. – 310 p. ; 19 cm.
ANOTHER PART | OF THE WOOD | BY | DENIS MACKAIL || HODDER AND
STOUGHTON | LIMITED LONDON
110×177 mm: [1]4
A*–I*16,
K*12,
12mo? (120×183×33 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with list of ‘NOVELS BY |
DENIS MACKAIL’;
[3–4], title, verso with date and with imprint below rule ‘Made and
printed in Great Britain by | Wyman & Sons, Ltd., London, Fakenham
and Reading.’;
[5–6], contents;
7–[311], text;
[312], blank;
i–viii, a selection from Hodder & Stoughton’s list
of 2/‒ net novels
issued in: scarlet cloth, lettered in black on spine with publisher’s
oval device and rules, publisher’s oval device and regency swag design in
blind on front board; red endpapers; all edges trimmed, top-edge stained red;
dust jacket on coated white paper, printed yellow background with black-shaded
light-blue lettering around illustration, signed bottom left
‘Shepard’, of Noodles playing her ‘stringed instrument’
(which looks like a ukulele)
published: in 1931-03 at
2/‒, later increased
to 2/6 by spine sticker
the chapters do not have titles, but in the contents pages and the chapter headings each has a multi-phrase summary of the action it contains
How amusing! (1929)
dedication: ‘To Plum, but for whom.’
The author’s first collection of his short stories (5000-7000 words), mostly from magazine publication. Introducing some regulars such as Bradsmith the impresario, Long Hobson the artist with a detective bent, and country-house hostess Mrs Gilchrist and her butler Birkin.
How amusing! : and a lot of other fables / by Denis Mackail. – London : Heinemann, 1929. – 550 p. ; 20 cm.
HOW AMUSING! | AND A LOT OF OTHER FABLES | BY | DENIS MACKAIL || [publisher’s windmill device] | LONDON | WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD
121×185 mm: [A]8
B–Z8
AA–LL8,
crown 8vo (131×192×40 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with list of books ‘By the same
author’;
[iii–iv], title, verso with date and imprint ‘Printed in England
at The Windmill Press, Kingswood, Surrey’;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
[vii–viii], contents;
[ix–x], fly-title, verso blank;
1–550, text
issued in: fudge-brown cloth, lettered in gilt on spine with rules
at head and foot, border rule in blind on front board, publisher’s
windmill device blind stamped on rear board; white endpapers; all edges
trimmed;
[dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1929-09 at
7/6
How amusing! : and a lot of other fables / by Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1929. – 550 p. ; 20 cm.
[not seen – NUC reports ‘Printed in Great Britain’]
How amusing! / by Denis Mackail. – Freeport, NY : Books for Libraries, [1971]. – 551 p. ; 21 cm. – ISBN 0-8369-3775-9
[not seen]
Contents
- As you dislike it (pages 1–16)
first published in The London magazine dated 1928-07 - The court of honour (pages 17–35)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1926-01 - Pym’s party (pages 36–54)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1926-08 - Bradsmith was right (occasional series: Bradsmith)
(pages 55–74)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1925-10 - Wanted on the voyage (pages 75–94)
- Mrs Axminster’s butler (pages 95–112)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1927-03 - The open taxi (pages 113–131)
- Pigs after sunset (pages 132–150)
first published in Pall Mall magazine dated 1927-10 - The debt (pages 151–169)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1925-10 - After the seance (pages 170–186)
first published in The London magazine dated 1929-02 - Gyratory (pages 187–203)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1928-11 - Mr Weaver’s fairy story (pages 204–223)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1926-09 - The story of a laugh (occasional series: Mrs Gilchrist)
(pages 224–240)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1928-03 - Nana sahib (pages 241–258)
first published in The empire review dated 1925-05 - Revenge is sweet (occasional series: My pretty cousin)
(pages 259–279)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1925-08 - His lordship (pages 280–296)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1929-03 - The lost cocktail (pages 297–316)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1926-04 - Up top (pages 317–335)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1926-10 - Half an hour at Duval’s (pages 336–354)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1927-05 - An artist in crime (occasional series: Long Hobson)
(pages 355–371)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1928-02;
earlier reprinted in the anthology The best detective
stories of the year - Bang! (pages 372–388)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1928-09 - Mr Clements (pages 389–404)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1925-04 - Among the presents… (pages 405–426)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1926-10;
earlier published/reprinted in the anthology The funny bone - The discoveries at Buz (pages 427–442)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1925-02 - Double fault (pages 443–460)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1929-07 - Black or white (pages 461–478)
first published in The London magazine dated 1928-03 - Through the windscreen (pages 479–496)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1928-06 - The lost tragedy (pages 497–514)
earlier (first?) published in the anthology The ghost book - Aristocratic old lady (pages 515–533)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1929-09 - How amusing! (pages 534–550)
first published in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine dated 1925-07
source counts :
The London magazine – 3;
Nash’s/Pall Mall magazine – 2;
Pearson’s magazine – 11;
The Strand magazine – 10;
others – 2;
so far unsourced – 2
the stories in this collection are not numbered (as they were to be in the two later collections)
the ‘Plum’ of the dedication is P. G. Wodehouse: for details of links between the two authors, see the relevant section of my brief biography of Mackail
The young Livingstones (1930)
dedication: ‘To Diana’
Twelve stories of the lives of brother and sister Rex and Barbara Livingstone as they struggle to enjoy themselves on their meagre salary and allowance (respectively). Whether it’s difficulties at parties, the distress of being a bridesmaid again, attempts at amateur theatricals or just misunderstandings with friends, somehow they always seem to extricate themselves, or be extricated by fate, until the inevitable final adventure, when one of them grows up.
The young Livingstones / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1930. – 307 p. ; 19 cm.
THE | YOUNG LIVINGSTONES || BY | DENIS MACKAIL || HODDER AND STOUGHTON | LONDON [publisher’s device] MCMXXX
122×185 mm: [A]8
B–T8
U8 (including paste-down),
crown 8vo (134×190×41 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with list of ‘NOVELS BY |
DENIS MACKAIL’;
[3–4], title, verso with imprint below rule ‘Printed in Great Britain
for Hodder & Stoughton, Limited, | by Wyman & Sons, Ltd., London,
Fakenham and Reading.’;
[5–6], contents, verso with dedication;
[7]–307, text;
[308], blank;
[309–316], some of Hodder & Stoughton’s new novels
issued in: dark-green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule in
blind on front board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed, top edge stained
green; [dust jacket not seen]
published: on 1930-07-24 at
7/6
The young Livingstones / Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1930. – 304 p. ; 20 cm.
DENIS MACKAIL | [decorative rule] | The Young Livingstones || [publisher’s device] || [decorative rule] | Boston and New York | HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY | 1930
130×187 mm: [1]8
[2–20]8
[21]4,
8vo (137×193×37 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with list of ‘BOOKS BY |
DENIS MACKAIL’;
[iii–iv], title, verso with rights statement and imprint ‘The
Riverside Press, | CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS | PRINTED
IN THE U.S.A.’;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
[vii–viii], contents, verso blank;
[1]–304, text
issued in: peacock blue ribbed cloth, lettered and blocked in olive
green (gilt?) on front board and lettered on spine; white endpapers; top
and bottom edges (only) trimmed, top edge stained olive green;
[dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1930-07 at $2.00?
Contents
- Just an idea (pages 7–29; 1–23 US)
first published as Brother Rex works it
in Pearson’s magazine dated 1929-08 - Many happy returns (pages 30–52; 24–46 US)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1929-09 - The gift of the bridegroom (pages 53–76; 47–70 US)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1929-10 - The literary man (pages 77–99; 71–93 US)
first published as Barbara drops a brick!
in Pearson’s magazine dated 1929-11 - The wolf from the door (pages 100–122; 94–116 US)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1929-12 - The triangle (pages 123–145; 117–139 US)
first published as Rex gets a free ticket
in Pearson’s magazine dated 1930-01 - Trial by tact (pages 146–171; 140–165 US)
first published as Love among the Livingstones
in Pearson’s magazine dated 1930-02 - Almost all about April (pages 172–200; 166–194 US)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1930-03 - The inseparables (pages 201–227; 195–222 US)
first published as Hands off Barbara!
in Pearson’s magazine dated 1930-04 - Barbara’s blues (pages 228–254; 223–250 US)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1930-05 - The still younger Yardleys (pages 255–280; 251–277 US)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1930-06 - The last adventure (pages 281–307; 278–304 US)
first published as The best adventure
in Pearson’s magazine dated 1930-07
the retention of the ‘next month’s story’ titles of chapters 7 & 9 when collected into this book suggests that it was the editor of Pearson’s magazine who was responsible for the changes of title on the initial, periodical, publication of these stories
The Square circle (1930)
dedication: ‘To Diana’
Tiverton Square: we first meet it in August, when it is largely deserted of its regular complement of inhabitants, giving us a chance to admire its architecture and history. Through the remainder of a ten month period however it teems with Londoners and we follow the lives of the young and the old, the upstairs and the downstairs of its most conspicuous residents. Not everyone has a happy time of it, but this is real life after all.
The Square circle / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1930. – 478 p. ; 19 cm.
THE | SQUARE CIRCLE | BY | DENIS MACKAIL || HODDER AND
STOUGHTON | LIMITED LONDON | ST. PAUL’S HOUSE |
WARWICK SQUARE | E. C. | 4
121×184 mm: [AC]8
BC–ZC8
AAC–FFC8,
crown 8vo (133×190×45 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with list of ‘NOVELS BY |
DENIS MACKAIL’;
[3–4], title, verso with imprint ‘Made and printed in Great Britain
by | The Camelot Press Limited, | London and Southampton’;
[5–6], dedication, verso blank;
[7]–478, text
issued in: dark green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule
in blind on front board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed, top edge stained
green; dust jacket on white coated paper, front with coloured drawing of the view
across a corner of the square’s garden
published: on 1930-12-01 at
7/6;
reprinted 1930-12 (twice),
1931-01, 1931-05
(later printings have the relevant part of this history on title-page
verso)
The Square circle / Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1931. – 478 p. ; 21 cm.
[not seen]
published: in 1931-05 at $2.50;
The Square circle / by Denis Mackail. – Bath : Lythway Press, 1968. – ISBN 0-85046-226-6
[not noted; the text is photolitho reprint of the Hodder original]
one of Mackail’s most successful titles, as shown by the quick need to reprint for the Christmas market – and, much later, by the library reprint in 1968; in America this novel was the May (1931) ‘Book-of-the-Month Club’ selection
David’s day (1932)
One March morning, Mr and Mrs Coffin’s daily woman, Mrs Bowker, fails to turn up in time to heat his shaving water, causing delay to his departure for work and starting a chain of events which has repercussions around London during the rest of the day: bringing lovers together, saving governments, meeting out justice and generally doing the work of the ministering angels. For this, praise, or blame, David, who was born overnight and caused the initial delay.
David’s day / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1932. – 352 p. ; 20 cm.
DAVID’S DAY || By | DENIS MACKAIL || HODDER AND STOUGHTON | LONDON [publisher’s device] MCMXXXII
121×186 mm: [A]8
B–Y8,
crown 8vo (134×192×41 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with list, in reverse chronological order, of
books ‘By the same Author :—’;
[3–4], title, verso with imprint ‘Made and printed in Great Britain
for Hodder and Stoughton Limited, by | Wyman & Sons, Ltd., London,
Reading and Fakenham.’;
[5]–352, text
issued in: dark green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule
in blind on front board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed, top edge stained
green; [dust jacket not seen]
published: on 1932-02-02 at
7/6
David’s day / Denis Mackail. – Boston ; New York : Houghton Mifflin, 1932. – 348 p. ; 21 cm.
[not seen]
when I first read this novel I got rather confused in that, although the day in question is in March, it is not St David’s day (1st March) itself!
Ian and Felicity (1932)
dedication: ‘To Diana’
Six years after the events related in Greenery Street, we meet Mr and Mrs Foster again, now living in a larger house at 17, Peninsula Place. The events that happen to them and their children, Anne and Michael, are less obviously dramatic than those related earlier – as the narrator says “You thought this record was going the way of Mrs Foster’s library novel… that Felicity would meet an old flame, or that these… Pickerings were in some way to affect the destiny of Peninsula Place.” (chapter V, part 4; page 191) – but to the sympathetic reader they are no less characteristic, and we learn more about real life for that.
Ian and Felicity, or, Peninsula Place / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1932. – 349 p. ; 20 cm.
IAN AND FELICITY | OR | PENINSULA PLACE | BY | DENIS MACKAIL || [quotation] || HODDER AND STOUGHTON | LONDON [publisher’s device] MCMXXXII
121×185 mm: [1]8
2–228,
crown 8vo (132×191×41 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso blank;
[3–4], title, recto with quotation from Greenery
Street, verso with ‘first printed’ date and imprint
‘MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN FOR HODDER AND STOUGHTON,
LTD., | BY BILLING AND SONS LTD., GUILDFORD’;
[5–6], dedication, verso with character disclaimer;
[7]–349, text;
[350], blank;
[351–352], blank leaf
issued in: dark green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule
in blind on front board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed, top edge stained
green; [dust jacket not seen]
published: on 1932-09-01 at
7/6
Peninsula Place : being the adventures of Ian and Felicity / by Denis Mackail. – Garden City, NY : Doubleday, Doran, 1932. – 345 p. ; 21 cm.
PENINSULA PLACE: | Being the Adventures | of Ian and Felicity | BY DENIS MACKAIL | [publisher’s device] | [quotation] || DOUBLEDAY, DORAN & COMPANY, INC. | GARDEN CITY 1932 NEW YORK [whole within crossed plain-rule box surrounded by fancy rule border]
139×201 mm: [1]–[20]8
[21]4,
[22–23]8,
8vo (150×208×38 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], blank;
[iii–iv], half-title, verso blank;
[v–vi], title, recto with quotation from Greenery Street,
verso with imprint ‘PRINTED AT THE Country Life Press,
GARDEN CITY, N.Y., U.S.A.’, copyright date, rights
reservation and edition statement;
[vii–viii], dedication, verso blank;
[ix–x] character disclaimer, verso blank;
[xi–xii] half-title, verso blank;
[1]–345, text;
[346], blank;
[347–348], blank leaf
issued in: scarlet cloth, lettered in dark grey on spine between strip
illustrations of suburban street (line-drawn version of dust jacket design);
cream endpapers; top edge trimmed and stained red;
dust jacket, designed by Coroyden Bell, of semi-coated paper with white
lettering on bright orange background between strip illustrations in colour
of suburban street panoramas
published: in 1932 at $2.00
Ian and Felicity, or, Peninsula Place / by Denis Mackail. – 1st ed., repr. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1934. – 349 p. ; 19 cm.
IAN AND FELICITY | OR | PENINSULA PLACE | by | DENIS MACKAIL || [quotation] || [publisher’s office line-drawing] | HODDER AND STOUGHTON | LIMITED [space] LONDON [whole within border comprising chains of long and short rectangles]
121×185 mm: [1]16
2–416
[5]16
6–1116,
crown 8vo (131×190×39 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with novels by Denis Mackail listed in reverse
chronological order as text within panel bordered by chained rectangles,
at head;
[3–4], title within border of chained rectangles, recto with quotation
from Greenery Street, verso with dates and imprint
‘MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN FOR HODDER AND STOUGHTON,
LTD., | BY BILLING AND SONS LTD., GUILDFORD’;
[5–6], dedication, verso with character disclaimer;
[7]–349, text;
[350], blank;
[351–352], blank leaf
issued in: royal blue cloth, lettered in black on spine between double
rules head and foot, double and single rules flanking publisher’s
device in black at head of front board; orange endpapers; all edges trimmed;
dust jacket with title and quotation ‘People like ourselves’ from
Compton Mackenzie in yellow panel at top right, yellow square line framing
centre of (E. H. Shepard?) illustration, children and dog over, author in
yellow panel across foot,
spine yellow with title, author, price [and publisher? example damaged]
separated by sky blue rules, back with other novels in this series
(i.e. 2/6
‘yellow-jackets’),
flaps with other books by Denis Mackail
published: in 1934 at
2/6
as described in Life with Topsy (page 134), Mackail intended this novel to bear the title Peninsula Place but for reasons he doesn’t give it was changed for the British edition
the cheap, ‘yellow-jacket’, edition describes itself as ‘reprinted 1934’ on the t.p.v. rather than as ‘popular’ or ‘cheap’ as found (so far) on earlier titles; a copy of this reprint has been seen with a ‘Times Book Club’ sticker at the foot of the i.b.c.
‘Peninsula Place’ may be based on the street where the Mackails had their second house: Essex Villas, Kensington
the quotation on the title-page is a dialogue from chapter 5 of the earlier novel about this couple:
FELICITY: “Perhaps it’s different when you’ve been married ten years.”
IAN (after thinking this over): “I’d rather it wasn’t.”
FELICITY: “Well, perhaps it isn’t…”
Having fun (1933)
dedication: ‘To Topsy and Victoria’
A second collection of thirty short stories culled from periodical publications, following 1929’s How amusing!.
Having fun : more non-stop stories / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1933. – 624 p. ; 19 cm.
HAVING FUN | More Non-Stop Stories | by | DENIS
MACKAIL || L O N D O N | HODDER & STOUGHTON LIMITED
121×184 mm: [1]8
2–2016,
crown 8vo (130×190×50 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], blank leaf;
[iii–iv], half-title, verso with list, in reverse chronological order, of
‘BOOKS BY | DENIS MACKAIL’;
[v–vi], title, verso with character disclaimer, date and imprint
‘Made and printed in Great Britain for Hodder and Stoughton, Limited, |
by Ebenezer Baylis and Son, Limited, The Trinity Press, Worcester, and |
London’;
[vii–viii], dedication, verso blank;
ix–xi, foreword, [xii] blank;
xiii–xiv, contents;
15–624, text
issued in: dark green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule
in blind on front board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed, top edge stained
green; dust jacket on white semi-coated paper with blue and black lettering
around a half-tone of the author with Topsy (a Pekingese dog)
published: on 1933-05-25 at
7/6
Contents
- A day with a débutante (pages 15–34)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1929-12 - The death of the blues (pages 35–52)
- Mr (and Mrs) Mystery (pages 53–73)
first published as Mr – and Mrs – Mystery
in The London magazine dated 1928-05 - Not so neat
(occasional series: New tales from Greenery Street)
(pages 74–94)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1931-10 - The boy who broke her toys (pages 95–115)
first published in The London magazine dated 1929-04 - Well done, Horsey!
(pages 116–137)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1931-10 - Gooseberry fool (pages 138–156)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1929-03 - Ten for tact (occasional series: Mrs Gilchrist)
(pages 157–176)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1931-06 - A midsummer ice cream (pages 177–196)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1931-05 - Bradsmith was wrong (occasional series: Bradsmith)
(pages 197–217)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1932-03 - The Birdwoods’ bathroom (pages 218–237)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1931-01 - The last word (pages 238–259)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1930-08 - Lucky Lucille
(pages 260–278)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1929-08 - Calling a cab (pages 279–300)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1931-03 - The kiss-effect (pages 301–321)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1930-07 - The courtship of Beano Blennerhassett (pages 322–339)
first published in The London magazine dated 1930-07 - The custody of the child (pages 340–360)
- Romance at Belloni’s
(pages 361–380)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1932-08 - Daisy, Daisy! (pages 381–400)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1932-07 - The chink in Miss Flamborough’s armour (pages 401–423)
first published in The London magazine dated 1929-08 - The two-seater (pages 424–445)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1927-02 - This is so sudden! (pages 446–463)
- The blind boy (pages 464–483)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1930-09 - The best man (pages 484–502)
- The little arm-chair
(occasional series: New tales from Greenery Street)
(pages 503–524)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1931-09 - As a matter of fact (pages 525–542)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1928-07 - He who gets tipped (pages 543–561)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1932-06 - A breath from the past (pages 562–581)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1931-07 - What noise annoys an author? (pages 582–602)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1932-05 - Having fun (pages 603–624)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1931-04
source counts :
The London magazine – 4;
Pearson’s magazine – 11;
The Strand magazine – 11;
so far unsourced – 4
Topsy and Victoria, the dedicatees, were the Mackails’ Pekingese dogs at the time
Chelbury Abbey (1933)
dedication: ‘To Diana’
John Ellery, American architecture student in London, falls in love with the historic Chelbury Abbey and with the daughter of its impoverished owner, the seventh Earl of Wick. The latter is now living in the Old Rectory, whilst she has to earn a living in a design shop in London. Ellery has plans for both the house and the girl, but will his native brashness overcome the difficulties involved in each enterprise… and will Penny ever work out what she really feels for childhood neighbour Guy Buckland?
Chelbury Abbey / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1933. – 351 p. ; 19 cm.
CHELBURY ABBEY | BY | DENIS MACKAIL || HODDER AND STOUGHTON | LONDON [publisher’s device] MCMXXXIII
119×184 mm: [1]8
2–228,
crown 8vo (129×190×43 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with list, in reverse chronological order,
of ‘BOOKS BY | DENIS MACKAIL’;
[iii–iv], title, verso with date and imprint ‘MADE
AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN FOR HODDER AND STOUGHTON, LTD., | BY
BILLING AND SONS LTD., GUILDFORD AND ESHER’;
[v–vi], dedication, verso with character disclaimer;
vii–[viii], contents, verso blank;
9–351, text;
[352], blank
issued in: dark green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule
in blind on front board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed, top edge stained
green; [dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1933-11 at
7/6
Chelbury Abbey / Denis Mackail. – Garden City, NY : Doubleday, Doran, 1934. – 336 p. ; 20 cm.
Denis Mackail | CHELBURY ABBEY | [publisher’s device] ||
Garden City New York | DOUBLEDAY, DORAN & COMPANY, INC. |
1934
130×190 mm: [1]–[22]8,
8vo (139×198×34 mm)
contents:
[a–b], publisher’s blurb (from dust jacket) ‘PENNY | OF
CHELBURY ABBEY’, verso blank;
[i–ii], half-title, verso with list of ‘BOOKS BY DENIS
MACKAIL’ (the two Doubleday, Doran titles only!);
[iii–iv], title, verso with imprint ‘PRINTED AT
THE Country Life Press, GARDEN CITY,
N. Y., U. S. A.’, copyright and edition statement;
[v–vi], dedication, verso blank;
[vii–viii], character disclaimer, verso blank;
ix–x, contents;
[xi–xii], fly-title, verso blank;
[1]–336, text;
[337–338], blank leaf
issued in: eau-de-nil coloured cloth, lettered in black with girl under
tree design on spine; cream endpapers; top and bottom edges (only) trimmed,
top edge stained dark green; dust jacket on cream coated paper with coloured
drawing of a young couple under a tree, with additional legend ‘A
history of one enchanted summer.’
published: in 1934 (early in the year?) at $2.00
[ Chelbury Abbey / by Denis Mackail. – 1st ed., repr. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1935. – 351 p. ; 19 cm.
CHELBURY ABBEY | BY | DENIS MACKAIL || HODDER AND
STOUGHTON | LIMITED [space] LONDON
119×184 mm ?: [1]16
2–1116 ?,
crown 8vo (129×190×40 mm) ?
contents?:
[1–2], half-title, verso with novels by Denis Mackail;
[3–4], title, verso with date and imprint ‘MADE
AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN FOR HODDER AND STOUGHTON, LTD., | BY
BILLING AND SONS LTD., GUILDFORD AND ESHER’;
[5–5], dedication, verso with character disclaimer;
[7–8], contents, verso blank;
9–351, text;
[352], blank
issued in: royal blue cloth; orange endpapers; all edges trimmed;
dust jacket with title and author in yellow panels across head and foot,
yellow square line framing centre of (E. H. Shepard?) illustration which is
overlaid with quotation ‘a graceful, witty and buoyant piece of
work’ from Punch review
published: in 1935? at
2/6?
]
Summer leaves (1934)
Some three years after leaving school for ever, Miss Ursula Brett, ‘Noodles’ to her friends, is as kind-hearted and vulnerable to misadventure as ever, especially when her aunt goes off on her travels again. This could all have even more disastrous consequences, as Noodles and her brother regained their inheritance from their miserly uncle. Her three suitors are very un-suitor-ble and get her into such muddles, but, as before, friends and relations are on hand to help… and now she can help them a little too.
Summer leaves / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1934. – 416 p. ; 20 cm.
SUMMER LEAVES | BY | DENIS MACKAIL || HODDER AND
STOUGHTON | LONDON [publisher’s device] MCMXXXIV
127×191 mm: [A]8
B–U8
X–Z8
2A–2C8,
8vo (140×197×42 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with list, in reverse chronological order,
of ‘BOOKS BY | DENIS MACKAIL’;
[3–4], title, verso with character disclaimer, date and imprint
‘Printed in Great Britain for Hodder & Stoughton, Limited, |
by Wyman & Sons, Ltd., London Fakenham and Reading.’;
[5–6], contents;
[7]–416, text
issued in: dark green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule
in blind on front board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed, top edge stained
green; dust jacket on semi-coated white paper with coloured illustration by
E. H. Shepard of Noodles on the balcony of her aunt’s London flat
being interrogated by Mr Mallows from his window opposite
published: on 1934-07-19 at
7/6
Summer leaves / Denis Mackail. – Garden City, NY : Doubleday, Doran, 1934. – 378 p. ; 20 cm.
[not seen]
this novel was originally to be entitled ‘Summer’s lease’, maintaining the Shakespeare reference of Another part of the wood, to which it is a sequel; however, Hutchinson had published a novel with this title by Helen Dorothy Cunynghame in 1932, so Hodder persuaded Mackail to pick a different title, which he did while retaining the sound of his original idea; (similar considerations did not stop Winifred Howe from publishing a play called ‘Summer’s lease’ in 1935, nor Eileen Arnot Robertson from producing a novel under the title in 1940 – perhaps Hodder should have had more guts, but their ageing directors were not noted for taking risks by the 1930s!)
The wedding (1935)
dedication: ‘To Diana’
We’ve been invited to the marriage of Ann Pilgrim and Peter Troutbeck. But with a novelist’s privilege we can follow the family and their friends throughout the day, learning about them and their backgrounds. And why not? after all, for at least two of the people it is the most important day of their lives.
The wedding / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1935. – 347 p. ; 20 cm.
THE | WEDDING | BY | DENIS | MACKAIL | [illustration] | HODDER · & STOUGHTON
126×190 mm: [1]8
2–228,
crown 8vo (139×197×41 mm)
contents:
[1–2], forthcoming marriages announcement, illustration, verso with
wedding invitation, illustration;
[3–4], half-title, illustration, verso with dedication, illustration;
[5–6], illustration, verso with illustration and caption;
[7–8], title and illustration, verso with caption for [9];
[9–10], illustrations, verso with caption;
[11–12], illustration with caption, verso with caption for [13];
[13–14], illustrations, verso with caption;
[15–16], illustrations, verso with date in floral device;
17–346, text;
347, newspaper report of the wedding, with imprint below rule ‘Made
and printed in Great Britain for Hodder and Stoughton Limited, |
by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and London’;
[348], advert for publisher’s Novel news;
[349–352], adverts for Hodder & Stoughton novel club, three
novelists’ works
issued in: dark green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule
in blind on front board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed, top edge stained
green;
dust jacket on semi-matt off-white heavyweight paper with wrap-round design
in pen and watercolour by J. Morton-Sale (who also drew the prelims)
showing the bride and groom processing after the ceremony (front cover),
followed by the bridesmaids (spine and back cover)
published: on 1935-08-01 at
7/6;
reprinted 1935-08 and
1935-09
The wedding / Denis Mackail. – Garden City, NY : Doubleday, Doran, 1935. – 320 p. ; 21 cm.
[not seen]
the extensive illustrations in the prelims, three of which are signed J. Morton-Sale, show the main characters at various stages of the wedding (putting on the dress, processing up the nave, signing the register, the reception, etc.), some with quotations from the text;
the newspaper report on page 347 includes many in-jokes; for example: “their honeymoon [will be] in Sussex”, a county with which the Mackails had strong connections (dare one guess that their own honeymoon, assuming they had one in 1917, took place there?); the newspaper’s guest list is particularly rich: ‘Mrs Bruce Lennox’ is Felicity Foster’s sister, in Greenery Street and related titles; ‘Mrs R. H. Brett’ is Noodles’s friend and subsequently sister-in-law Sylvia, from Another part of the wood; ‘Miss Victoria Wormington’ is derived from Victoria, one of the Mackails’ pekes, which was born at Wormington in Gloucestershire, and ‘Mrs Denis Mackail’ is of course Diana, the author’s wife, to whom the novel is dedicated.
Back again (1936)
[unusually, a first person narrative] Returning to England after twenty-five years working abroad, Ned Marsden impulsively buys a notebook on the liner and keeps a diary of his homecoming. As well as helping his sister and brother-in-law and their children, he meets the now widowed lady whose engagement drove him to accept his overseas appointment in the first place, and is able also to steer his head-office straight when problems arise with his successor in Santanna.
Back again / Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1936. – 316 p. ; 20 cm.
[double rule] | DENIS MACKAIL | BACK AGAIN || LONDON |
HODDER AND STOUGHTON | [double rule]
125×189 mm: [1]8
2–208,
crown 8vo (138×195×40 mm)
contents:
[1–2], blank;
[3–4], half-title, verso with list, in reverse chronological order, of
‘NOVELS AND | STORIES BY | DENIS MACKAIL’;
[5–6], title, in black and dark green (rules and title), verso with date
and imprint ‘Made and printed in Great Britain for Hodder and Stoughton
Limited, | by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and London’;
[7–8], character disclaimer, verso blank;
9–316, text
issued in: dark green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule
in blind on front board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed, top edge stained
green; dust jacket of white heavy-weight paper with green lettering and
blind panel on front containing reproduction of pen drawing by Joseph
Sanderson(?) of the narrator writing his diary
published: in 1936-09 (mid-month) at
7/6
Back again / Denis Mackail. – Garden City, NY : Doubleday, Doran, 1936. – 294 p. ; 20 cm.
[not seen]
Jacinth (1937)
Twelve scenes from the life of débutante Jacinth, as experienced vicariously by her bachelor uncle. Every few weeks she seems to be close to a different young man, but when she does finally get engaged it seems that there was method in her madness after all.
Jacinth, or, Being an uncle / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1937. – 310 p. ; 20 cm.
J A C I N T H | OR BEING AN UNCLE | By | DENIS MACKAIL ||
LONDON | HODDER & STOUGHTON, LIMITED
122×185 mm: [A]8
B–Y8,
crown 8vo (134×191×38 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with selective list of Hodder & Stoughton
‘Books by | DENIS MACKAIL’;
[iii–iv], title, verso with character disclaimer, date and imprint
‘PRINTED AND BOUND IN GREAT BRITAIN FOR HODDER
& STOUGHTON, LTD., | BY RICHARD CLAY & SONS, LTD., BUNGAY,
SUFFOLK.’;
v–[vi], contents, verso blank;
7–[311], text;
[312], advert, your next book;
[313–316], adverts, four authors’ works
issued in: dark green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule
in blind on front board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed; dust jacket
of cream coated paper with illustration on front, by
J. Morton-Sale,
of a seated debutante in ball-gown against a green background extending
across spine and with white-on-green (green on back) text
published: on 1937-09-06 at
7/6
it is not known whether any of the chapters appeared as individual stories in periodicals or collections
this was the first of Denis Mackail’s novels not published in America, presumably showing falling sales there of these quintessentially English books
London lovers (1938)
dedication: ‘To D.’ [i.e. Diana]
A final (as it turned out) selection of thirty short stories, including a third instalment of Mrs Gilchrist and a second of Long Hobson.
London lovers : and a whole heap of shortish stories / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1938. – 620 p. ; 19 cm.
LONDON LOVERS | And a Whole Heap of | Shortish Stories | by | DENIS MACKAIL || L O N D O N | HODDER & STOUGHTON LIMITED
120×185 mm: [1]8
2–398,
crown 8vo (132×190×55 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], blank;
[iii–iv], half-title, verso with list, in reverse chronological order,
of ‘BOOKS BY | DENIS MACKAIL’;
[v–vi], title, verso with character disclaimer, date and imprint
‘MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN FOR HODDER AND | STOUGHTON,
LIMITED, BY EBENEZER BAYLIS AND SON | LIMITED, THE TRINITY PRESS, WORCESTER,
AND LONDON’;
[vii–viii], dedication, verso blank;
ix–xii, foreword;
xiii–xiv, contents;
15–620, text;
[621–624], blank leaves
issued in: dark green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule
in blind on front board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket not seen]
published: on 1938-03-07 at
8/6
London lovers : and a whole heap of shortish stories / by Denis Mackail. – Bath : Lythway Press, 1968. – 620 p. ; 20 cm. – (Lythway reprints). – ISBN 0-85046-225-8
LONDON LOVERS | And a Whole Heap of | Shortish Stories | by | DENIS MACKAIL || L O N D O N | HODDER & STOUGHTON LIMITED
121×183 mm: [A]16
[B]–[T]16,
[U]8,
8vo (132×191×45 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], [blank?, removed in binding or later rebinding];
[iii–iv], blurb, verso with list, in reverse chronological order
to 1938, of ‘BOOKS BY | DENIS MACKAIL’;
[v–vi], title, verso with character disclaimer, first published date,
and paper slip pasted over original imprint to show rights reservation by
Hodder & Stoughton Limited or the author and new imprint
‘This edition reprinted by Lythway Press Ltd., Portway, Bath, |
by arrangement with the copyright holder. | Printed Photo Lithography by |
Redwood Press of Trowbridge, Wiltshire | 1968’;
[vii–viii], dedication, verso blank;
ix–xii, foreword;
xiii–xiv, contents;
15–620, text;
[621–622], blank [end paper];
[623–624], [blank?, removed in binding or later rebinding]
issued in: library binding, believed to be a printed paper cover
pasted on boards and spine and then sealed in transparent plastic laminate
(alternatively this was a jacket and has been bound in laminate later),
the cover shows:
a red band across top third (divided by thin white line) above remaining
two-thirds white band,
with, on front: author and title in white 20pt Helvetica on the red band
above and below the line,
line drawing of 1960s-style couple against Westminster Bridge in red on
the white,
on spine: title on red, author on white, both 24pt Helvetica and
publisher’s wordmark in red at foot,
on rear: white ‘LYTHWAY REPRINTS’ above thin line with
explanation “Most people like a good ‘yarn’ and the middle
generation especially | look back nostalgically to the popular story tellers
of yesterday. | This is one such book, long out of print, and now revived by
the | Lythway Press Ltd. to help meet the needs of older Library borrowers |
and perhaps some of the younger ones as well.” below on red
and list of ‘authors [...] under consideration’ on white;
white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket presumed not supplied]
published: in 1968 at
27/6
this 1968 reprint is a photolitho of the whole 1938 edition – they even forgot to change the imprint on the t.p.v. and had to stick a label over it later (that would have been necessary for legal reasons!); each sixteen-leaf signature of the reprint matches two eight-leaf signatures of the original, but the visible numbering has not been changed (thus numbers 3 and 4 denote the signature I have labelled ‘B’ and so on)
the blurb on p. iii reads ‘London Lovers contains 30 stories, all on | the same theme. This, as the author tells us, is | the best of all possible themes and can be sum-|marised as “boy meets girl, boy falls in love with | girl, boy marries girl”. ¶ The lovers are romantic or ridiculous, glum | or happy and most of them suffer a little uncer-|tainty or even suffering before it all comes right | in the end. ¶ But although they all deal with the same | theme, these stories are very different from each | other. They are collected in this book because | they are all very readable stories about real, like-|able people.’ – it is not yet known whether this blurb is contemporary with the original 1938 publication (e.g. from the original dust jacket) or written specially in 1968
I have been unable to establish whether the Lythway imprint was related to the well-known library binders Cedric Chivers Ltd of Bath, whose imprint Chivers Press appears on large-print and other titles from the 1980s and more recently on audio-books (and as a computer supplies shop in Bath!!), but I think it must have been, since Chivers’s address was also Portway, Bath and the names and businesses seem too similar to be coincidental!
Contents
- Happy new year (pages 15–34)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1935-01 - Back to Cinderella (pages 35–55)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1934-06 - Private detection (pages 56–75)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1936-09 - What’s in a name? (pages 76–95)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1935-03 - Love locked in (pages 96–115)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1935-02 - British shellfish (pages 116–136)
first published as Perfect reception (pages 1–2)
in The Strand magazine dated 1933-10 - Jackson’s four-toed rumpiti (pages 137–156)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1934-09 - Non-stop (pages 157–175)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1934-07 - The life of Charles Edward Cantaloup (pages 176–195)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1935-04 - The riddle of the minx (pages 196–214)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1935-11 - On the other hand (pages 215–234)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1935-08 - Chortlebury Court (pages 235–254)
- The inaudible man (pages 255–275)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1936-01 - Oh, Charlie! (pages 276–294)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1935-11 - Jumping Jehoshaphat (pages 295–315)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1936-12 - Smoke in their eyes (pages 316–336)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1936-10 - Twopennyworth of crime (occasional series: Long Hobson)
(pages 337–355)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1936-05 - None so blind (pages 356–374)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1936-06 - You’re marvellous! (pages 375–394)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1935-06 - The desert island (pages 395–415)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1936-08 - Double chin (pages 416–434)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1937-02 - Flourish of trumpets (pages 435–453)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1937-05 - Case of Jevington Beale (pages 454–475)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1937-04 - It makes the world go round (pages 476–496)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1937-12,
plot later used for the novel It makes the world go round (1950) - The silent father (pages 497–515)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1933-12 - Loophole in the law (pages 516–537)
- Art (pages 538–558)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1936-09 - The blind witness (pages 559–579)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1932-11 - Starvation corner (occasional series: Mrs Gilchrist)
(pages 580–601)
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1934-03 - London lovers (pages 602–620)
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1935-05
source counts :
Pearson’s magazine – 7;
Strand magazine – 21;
so far unsourced – 2
Morning, noon and night (1938)
Starting with glimpses of three different generations of the inhabitants of Basildon Gardens, somewhere in London, seen at windows through the March fog, we follow the various courses of their lives over the next four months.
Morning, noon and night / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1938. – 331 p. ; 19 cm.
MORNING, NOON | AND NIGHT | BY | DENIS MACKAIL || HODDER & STOUGHTON, LIMITED | at St. Paul’s House in the City of London
121×183 mm: [1]8
2–208
216,
crown 8vo (135×189×45 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with list, in reverse chronological order, of
‘NOVELS AND | STORIES BY | DENIS MACKAIL’;
[3–4], title, verso with character disclaimer, date and imprint
‘Made and printed in Great Britain for Hodder and Stoughton Limited,
by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and London’;
5–331, text;
[332], novel news
issued in: dark green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, border rule
in blind on front board; white endpapers; all edges trimmed, top edge stained
green; [dust jacket not seen]
published: on 1938-09 (early in the month) at
7/6
a more suburban version of the idea used in the very successful The Square circle
as he relates in Life with Topsy, composition of this novel was interrupted by Mackail’s 1937 nervous breakdown, but I haven’t yet been able to detect where
The story of J. M. B. (1941)
The authorized biography of Sir James Barrie, Bart, O. M. (1860–1937) playwright and novelist. Best known as the author of the play and children’s book Peter Pan (1904, 1911), Barrie was born in Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland, educated at Edinburgh University and initially worked as a journalist in England. His early books comprised novels and stories about Scottish provincial life, but from about 1900 his plays were international successes, especially Quality Street, The admirable Crichton and, later, Dear Brutus. Mackail provides a respectful survey of Barrie’s life and career, eschewing detailed analysis of the works in favour of historical description.
The story of J. M. B. : a biography / by Denis Mackail. – London : Peter Davies, 1941. – 736 p. : frontis. ; 21 cm.
THE STORY OF J.M.B. | a biography | by | DENIS MACKAIL ||
LONDON: PETER DAVIES
130×202 mm: [a]4
A–Y16,
large post 8vo (143×209×45 mm)
contents:
[i–ii] blank;
[iii–iv], half-title, verso blank; [frontispiece, tipped in];
[v–vi], title, verso with date and imprint ‘Printed in Great Britain
for Peter Davies Limited at The Windmill Press, Kingswood, Surrey’;
[vii–viii], fly-title, verso blank;
1–719, text;
[720], blank;
721–722, author’s note;
[723–724], index fly-title;
725–736, index
issued in: sky blue cloth, lettered in pale lemon yellow on spine; white
endpapers; all edges trimmed, top edge stained blue on later issues;
dust jacket of mottled-grey paper with maroon lettering, front has border
made of names of Barrie’s most popular plays and books
published: on 1941-04-04 at
11/6;
reprinted 1941-04, 1941-11,
1949 (the latter priced at 15/‒)
Barrie : the story of J. M. B. / by Denis Mackail. – New York : Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1941. – 736 p. ; 24 cm.
[not seen]
Barrie : the story of J. M. B. / by Denis Mackail. – Freeport, NY : Books for Libraries, [1972]. – 736 p. : port. ; 21 cm. – ISBN 0-8369-6734-8
[not seen]
in his own childhood Denis Mackail had known Barrie as a family friend, although Barrie’s affection had been lavished on the children of another family, the four orphaned Llewelyn Davies boys, among whom Peter and Nico ran the publishing house which commissioned this book; initially reluctant to tackle this new form of writing, Mackail was eventually convinced by their mutual friend Lady Cynthia Asquith that working on this biography would be a sort of therapy for his hard-driven creative muse
‘J. M. B.’ was how Barrie was known amongst most of his friends and colleagues and so was chosen for the UK title: presumably it was thought desirable to have something more obviously meaningful for the American market
Life with Topsy (1942)
An autobiography of the years 1927-1939, from the arrival of Topsy the Pekingese dog at age four months, until her death shortly before the start of world war 2. Largely a week by week record of his family life, friendships and work, there are plenty of asides about the dogs (Rufus, Tospy and Victoria), with occasional flashbacks to earlier episodes in his life by way of explanation.
Life with Topsy / by Denis Mackail. – London : Heinemann, 1942. – 415 p., [8] leaves of plates ; 21 cm.
LIFE WITH TOPSY | BY | DENIS MACKAIL || [publisher’s windmill device on rule] | WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD | LONDON :: TORONTO
129×194 mm: [A]8
B–Z8
AA–BB8
[CC]1,
(plates tipped-in before D, E, F, W, and BB and inside A [frontispiece],
M and Y),
8vo (139×201×28 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, with wartime factual disclaimer, verso with date,
war economy conformance statement and imprint ‘Printed in Great Britain
at the Windmill Press, Kingswood, Surrey’; [frontispiece, tipped in];
[iii–iv], title, verso with contents, illustrations;
1–415, text;
[416], blank
issued in: blue cloth, lettered in gilt on spine, publisher’s
windmill device blind stamped on rear board; pale brown endpapers;
all edges trimmed;
dust jacket of cream paper, coated one side, printed grass green with
cover design of reversed-out lettering inside rectangle surrounded by
cloud border, lettering on spine and list of general books on rear
published: in 1942-07 at
12/6
the half-tone black-and-white plates are: Topsy and the author [frontispiece]; 107 Church Street, Chelsea, 1928 with Diana and Rufus at the dining-room window; Mary, 1928; Anne with Topsy, 1928; Victoria and Topsy, 1932; Mary, 1937; Diana, 1938; and Anne, 1939
Upside-down (1943)
Mrs Rivers, stage name Mary Jesmond, makes the best she can of life in war-time London. Widowed more than twenty years now, she has been exiled to a flat by bomb damage to her house, and lives there with her civil-servant daughter. With theatrical opportunities at a low-ebb, she has to fill her time with domestic matters, whilst occasionally meeting her agent or fulfilling small engagements, such as entertaining the troops. But the circumstances of war bring change to everyone’s lives, even someone as settled as Mary Jesmond.
Upside-down, or, Love among the ruins / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hutchinson, [1943]. – 175 p. ; 19 cm.
UPSIDE-DOWN | OR | Love Among the Ruins | by | DENIS MACKAIL || HUTCHINSON & CO. (Publishers) LTD. | LONDON : NEW YORK : MELBOURNE
116×182 mm: [A]16
B–D16
E–G8,
8vo (129×189×16 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with classified list of ‘DENIS
MACKAIL | has also written :’;
[3–4], title, verso with imprint ‘Fleet Street Press, | East
Harding St. | E.C.4’;
[5–6], advertisement for the Printers’ Pension Corporation, 10
Great Queen Street, London (for retired craftsmen re-employed in wartime),
verso blank;
[7]–175, text;
[176], blank
issued in: red cloth, lettered in black on cover (publisher’s
name only) and spine (title inclined at approx. 23° (a slope of about
2 in 5) up from left to right; paper endpapers; all edges trimmed;
dust jacket of standard-weight off-white semi-coated paper printed with:
cover illustration of sectioned subterranean air-raid shelter with occupants,
signed D J. Roberts, title and statement of responsibility against black
earth above, publisher and box containing text ‘Full length novel on
thin war-economy paper’ below, spine divided by black line, title etc.
on red panel above, plain white panel below, rear with blurb between title
and author, flaps listing Hutchinson’s new fiction
published: in 1943-06 at
8/6
(‘including extra war costs’)
the rear cover blurb reads ‘Mr. Mackail’s first novel since he added immensely to | his reputation with his biography of Sir James Barrie will | have been awaited with interest by his many readers. | Here he is, as observant as ever, in a story of war-time | London; with young lovers, of course, but not only with | young ones, and with a rich display of other characters, | too. All, perhaps, as happens now, are in parts that have | been thrust on them by war; yet there is much comedy | here, as well as an appreciation of the ever-present sadness. | Above all, Mr. Mackail is back in the world of the stage | again – though not throughout – and no one knows more | about the oddest profession than he.’
Upside-down, or, Love among the ruins / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hutchinson Universal Book Club, [1944?]. – 192 p. ; 20 cm.
UPSIDE-DOWN | Or | Love Among the Ruins | by | DENIS MACKAIL || [Hutchinson Universal Book Club globe device] | 47 PRINCES GATE, LONDON, S.W.7
118×183 mm: [A]16
B–F16,
8vo (128×192×17 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with list of ‘Previous Selections still
in print’;
[3–4], title, verso with war economy conformance statement and imprint
‘Printed in Great Britain, at the Anchor Press, Tiptree, Essex’;
5–192, text
issued in: red cloth, lettered in black on cover (Hutchinson’s
Universal Book Club logo only) and spine; off-white endpapers; all edges
trimmed; [dust jacket, if any, not seen]
published: in 1944 or 1945? at subscribers’ price
note that this book club edition was re-set, instead of being printed from plates of the first edition: although the font is different the slightly shorter lines match the slightly narrower pages and the additional page count results from the increased leading of the new setting
according to the dust jacket of Huddleston House (published late 1945), this title reached 49,000 copies by then – presumably including all the book club ones!; from the claim on the jacket of We’re here, an additional one thousand or so had been issued by August 1947
Ho! (1944)
Autobiographical observations of his life in war-time London. The Mackails have moved to a flat, as the expenses and number of staff required to run their Chelsea house have become too great. In order to work on his novel Upside-down Denis has taken up an offer from some friends to use a room in their house as an office and he is ‘commuting’ (on foot) daily. His journeys, and other exigencies of war, lead to a selection of reminiscences and experiences, which conclude with a nostalgic visit to the empty house in Old Church Street.
Ho! or, How it all strikes me / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hutchinson, [1944]. – 128 p. ; 22 cm.
HO! | OR | How It All Strikes Me | By | DENIS MACKAIL || [quotation] | HUTCHINSON & CO. (Publishers) LTD. | LONDON :: NEW YORK :: MELBOURNE
134×211 mm: [A]16
B–D16,
6mo? (143×218×15 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with classified list of ‘DENIS MACKAIL
has also written:’;
[3–4], title, verso with advertisement for Printers’ Pension
Corporation and imprint ‘Made and printed in Great Britain at Greycaines
(Taylor Garnett Evans & Co. Ltd.) Watford, Herts’;
[5–6], contents, verso with a word to the reader;
7–128, text
issued in: black cloth, lettered in brown on spine; white endpapers;
all edges trimmed; [dust jacket not seen]
published: on 1944-01-06
at
10/6
the title-page quotation, explaining the title, is from Hamlet (act 5, scene 2): “With ho! such bugs and goblins in my life.”
Tales for a godchild (1944)
Ten stories for children, interspersed with short poems on related themes. There are tales of good children and naughty children, of aunts and nannies and even, on occasion, of a fairy. Despite the war-time restrictions, a coloured frontispiece and black and white line drawings in the text enhance the attractions of this volume.
Tales for a godchild / by Denis Mackail, with pictures by George Baker. – London : Hutchinson, [1944]. – 241 p., [1] leaf of plates (col.) : ill. ; 20 cm. – (Hutchinson’s books for young people)
Tales | for a | Godchild | by | DENIS MACKAIL | [illustration] | With pictures by | GEORGE BAKER | HUTCHINSON’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE | 10 GREAT QUEEN STREET, | LONDON, W.C.2
136×192 mm: [A]8
B–O8
P2 enclosing
P*8,
post 8vo (146×199×27 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso blank;
[coloured frontispiece tipped-in];
[3–4], title, verso with war economy conformance statement and imprint
‘Printed in Great Britain, at the Anchor Press, Tiptree, Essex’;
[5–6], dedicatory poem, contents;
7–[242], text;
[243–244], blank, verso listing Hutchinson’s gift books for children
issued in: pale blue-green cloth, lettered in black on front board
and spine; white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
dust jacket of thin off-white coated paper, four-colour half-tone printed
with front comprising background rectangle and medallion frame of the
frontispiece illustration encircling lettering in blue, red and brown,
spine lettering in dull-blue and rear panel listing four of
Hutchinson’s gift books for children
published: in 1944-11 or
1944-12 at [price perhaps
8/6?],
later stickered to 10/6
Contents
poems and stories as follows :
- Dedication
- Fat baby (pages 7–29)
- Babies
- Aunt Jane (pages 31–56)
- Aunts
- The lemon sponge (pages 59–72)
(text reprinted, with revisions, from the
anthology The treasure ship, 1926) - Savages
- In the days of railings (pages 75–99)
- Squares
- The pets (pages 102–127)
- Pets
- The magic medicine (pages 129–144)
(text reprinted, with revisions, from the
anthology The flying carpet, 1925) - Doctors
- The truth about the dilemma (pages 147–161)
(text reprinted, with revisions and a new ‘frame’ story,
from the anthology The treasure cave, 1928;
this version subsequently reprinted, with new illustrations,
in the anthology The wonder book for children, 1948) - Animals
- The last nannie (pages 164–193)
- Nannies
- The little window on the stairs (pages 197–225)
- Dreams
- Christmas with Uncle Jolliboy (pages 228–239)
- Uncles
- Farewell
Huddleston House (1945)
The scene is set in a block of flats in London in world war 2. The walls are transparent to us and we can follow the comings and goings, the hopes and fears, and the triumphs and disasters of the very assorted residents. Mrs Margetson, with a son in the navy and a daughter in a government office, Mrs Amberley whose husband is a POW, Miss Bretton and Miss Marsham who fretfully share a flat, and Gavin Guernsey, invalided out of the forces and back with his publishing firm, are among the many characters to whom we are introduced and whose tribulations elicit our sympathy.
Huddleston House : a period piece / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hutchinson, 1945. – 255 p. ; 20 cm.
HUDDLESTON HOUSE | A Period Piece | by |
DENIS MACKAIL || HUTCHINSON & CO. (PUBLISHERS) LTD. |
LONDON : NEW YORK : MELBOURNE : SYDNEY
125×185 mm: [A]16
B–H16,
crown 8vo (137×191×21 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with classified list of ‘Denis Mackail has
also written :’;
[3–4], title, verso with date, economy conformance statement and imprint
‘Made and printed in Great Britain at the Fleet Street Press, East
Harding Street, E.C.4’;
5–255, text;
[256], blank
issued in: black cloth, lettered in gilt on front board
(publisher’s name only) and spine; white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
dust jacket of standard weight white coated paper printed with maroon/brown
lettering against shaded pink/orange background with ruled and decorated
borders
published: in 1945-11 at
10/6;
reprinted 1945-12
according to the dust jacket of Our hero (published early 1947), Huddleston House had reached 23,000 copies by then; but from that of By auction it seems not to have had a further reprint by 1949
Our hero (1947)
…is Stephen W. Glazebrook and we experience his life in the closing days of the second world war in London, as well as learning about his earlier life through flashbacks to his childhood and short marriage. His ageing mother-in-law and his daughter Cressida are a worry to him, especially when members of another family from his past re-enter their lives.
Our hero : pages from the life of S. W. Glazebrook / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hutchinson, [1947]. – 256 p. ; 20 cm.
OUR HERO | Pages from the life of S. W. Glazebrook | by |
DENIS MACKAIL || HUTCHINSON & CO. (Publishers,) LTD. |
LONDON :: NEW YORK :: MELBOURNE :: SYDNEY
127×185 mm: [A]16
B–H16,
crown 8vo (137×191×18 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with classified list of ‘DENIS
MACKAIL | has also written:’;
[3–4], title, verso with economy conformance statement and imprint
‘Printed in Great Britain, at the Anchor Press, Tiptree, Essex’;
5–256, text
issued in: black cloth, lettered in gilt on front board
(publisher’s name only) and spine; white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
dust jacket of semi-coated white paper with coloured drawing on cover
showing the hero in business attire against a background of the wartime
London skyline
published: in 1947 at 10/6
We’re here (1947)
A pastoral idyll, in which good friends Mr Milford and Mr Bailey make one serviceable motor car and a tolerable caravan out of their two old vehicles and leave their cosy cottages for a change of scene, making a tour of the local countryside. They battle with the elements and with local superstitions, but their friendship survives and they end up playing a vital part in the cricket match between Twittering village and Mr Rutland-Pole’s XI.
We’re here! or, The adventures of Milford and Bailey / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hutchinson, [1947]. – 240 p. ; 19 cm.
WE’RE HERE! | OR | THE ADVENTURES | OF MILFORD and
BAILEY | by | DENIS MACKAIL || HUTCHINSON & CO.
(Publishers) LTD | London New York Melbourne
Sydney Cape Town
118×183 mm: [A]16
B–G16
H8,
8vo (128×190×18 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with classified list of ‘DENIS
MACKAIL | has also written’;
[3–4], title, verso with economy conformance statement and imprint
‘Printed in Great Britain by The Anchor Press, Ltd., Tiptree, Essex’;
[5–6], contents, verso blank;
7–240, text
issued in: black or tan cloth (no primacy established) lettered in
gilt or black (respectively) on front board (publisher’s name only)
and spine; white endpapers;
all edges trimmed; dust jacket on white coated paper, front and spine with
wrap-round coloured drawing by an unknown artist (signature illegible) of
Milford and Bailey beside their car and trailer comparing their map with
a signpost
published: in 1947-08 at
6/‒
We’re here! or, The adventures of Milford and Bailey / by Denis Mackail. – Universal Book Club edition. – London : Hutchinson, 1949. – 240 p. ; 19 cm.
WE’RE HERE! | OR | THE ADVENTURES | OF MILFORD and BAILEY | by | DENIS MACKAIL || [Hutchinson’s Universal Book Club globe device] | 4 RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET | LONDON, E.C.4
116×185 mm: [A]16
B–F16
G8
H16,
8vo (129×189×19 mm)
contents:
[1–2], previous selections of the Universal Book Club, verso with
classified list of ‘DENIS MACKAIL | has also written’;
[3–4], title, verso with dates and imprint ‘Printed in Great Britain
by The Anchor Press, Ltd., Tiptree, Essex’;
[5–6], contents, verso blank;
7–240, text
issued in: red cloth with black lettering on front board
(Hutchinson’s Universal Book Club logo only) and spine; white endpapers;
all edges trimmed; [dust jacket, if issued, not seen (but see comment
below)]
published: in 1949-05 at subscribers’
price (3/‒ plus
6d. postage and packing)
the mechanics of the HUBC remain unclear to me: for example one copy of this title has been seen with a custom dust jacket from Harold Hill & Son, Limited, Newcastle – this is on white semi-coated paper, front with mid-red panel with title and author in black, above a stylized ink and watercolour drawing of a village square, signed ‘Varty’ (believed to be Frank Varty, Harold Hill‘s ‘house designer’), spine with title, author and distributor in black on mid-red ground, rear with ‘also available in this edition’ list in black on white ground, the front flap claims ‘first published at 9/6 net’ (which is incorrect, see above) and the book itself has no ‘Harold Hill’ overprinting; however, as details of the HUBC subscribers’ price are from an HUBC invoice found in a different copy (now without jacket) one has to assume that the club issued its own books too, so perhaps the book club editions were later ‘remaindered’ to pulp-fiction publishers?
Where am I? (1948)
Mackail alternates chapters of reminiscence about scenes and people from his childhood with ones of observations on his life in post-war London and as a writer. Subjects include: painters’ studios; Philip Burne-Jones (his uncle); gyms and learning to dance; answering importunate correspondents; the cussedness of inanimate objects; and, not enjoying parties.
Where am I? or, A stranger here myself / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hutchinson, [1948]. – 191 p. ; 22 cm.
WHERE AM I? | OR | A Stranger Here Myself | by | DENIS MACKAIL || HUTCHINSON & CO. (Publishers) LTD | London New York Melbourne Sydney Cape Town
135×212 mm: [A]8
B–M8,
large post 8vo (141×218×22 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with classified list of ‘DENIS
MACKAIL | has also written’;
[iii–iv], title, verso with economy conformance statement and imprint
‘Printed in Great Britain at The Fleet Street Press, Watford’;
v–[vi], contents, verso blank;
7–191, text;
[192], blank
issued in: green cloth (rexine?), lettered in gilt(?) on spine; white
endpapers; all edges trimmed; [dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1948 at
10/6 (?)
By auction (1949)
Over two days the house and contents of Holmbury Court are sold by auction, to pay off the estate’s debts after the death of Mrs Rudston. For Tod Drake, on whom the burden of winding up his grandmother’s affairs has fallen, it is a nostalgic trip to scenes of his childhood and adolescence, as objects go under the hammer and he meets former acquaintances in the area after his years in London.
By auction / Denis Mackail. – London : Hutchinson, [1949]. – 350 p. ; 19 cm.
BY AUCTION | [lozenge rule] | DENIS MACKAIL || HUTCHINSON & CO. (Publishers) LTD | London New York Melbourne Sydney Cape Town
125×184 mm: [A]16
B–L16,
crown 8vo 138×189×27 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with classified list of ‘DENIS
MACKAIL | has also written’;
[3–4], title, verso with imprint ‘Printed in Great Britain by
William Brendon and Son, Ltd., The Mayflower Press (late of Plymouth) at
Bushey Mill Lane, Watford, Herts.’;
5–350, text;
[351–352], blank leaf
issued in: scarlet cloth or grey rexine(?) (no primacy established),
lettered in gilt or black on the cloth, in black on rexine,
on front board (publisher’s name only, some copies only) and spine
(with horizontal double rules); white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
dust jacket on white coated paper with title in white against a red
horizontal central stripe over a black background (top and bottom thirds)
showing author and ‘A novel by the author of HUDDLESTON HOUSE (24th
Thous.)’ in pale green and publisher in
white, front flap with blurb, rear and back flap list House of Hutchinson
‘new fiction’
published: in 1949 at 10/6
Her ladyship (1949)
Earl Leofric has married the much younger Godgifu, but when she starts to take a line on his taxation policy, and seems determined to get her own way, anything might happen. Some thoughtless words of his prompt her final outrageous action and she passes into legend as Lady Godiva, but it seems there was a, to us, perfectly logical reason for things turning out that way… and even for the existence of Peeping Tom.
Her ladyship / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hutchinson, [1949]. – 207 p. ; 19 cm.
HER LADYSHIP | by | DENIS MACKAIL || HUTCHINSON & CO. (Publishers) LTD | London New York Melbourne Sydney Cape Town
119×184 mm: [A]8
B–M8,
crown 8vo (130×189×21 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title with publisher’s blurb, verso with classified
list of ‘DENIS MACKAIL | has also written’;
[3–4], title, verso with imprint ‘Made and printed in Great Britain
by Greycaines (Taylor Garnett Evans & Co. Ltd.) Watford, Herts’;
5–[208], text
issued in: sea green cloth, lettered in gilt on front board
(publisher’s name only) and spine; white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1949-10 at
9/6
also seen in pale blue cloth with silver lettering, but this copy is missing its title-page so one is not sure of the edition – it may be from a book club
It makes the world go round (1950)
The courtship of Bianca Brown by Paul Sunderland follows the usual pattern until, after she refuses his proposal, he completely drops her. How provoking. Equally provoking for him when everywhere he goes he hears of other people, young and old, getting engaged.
It makes the world go round, or, Saint Valentine’s day / by Denis Mackail. – London : Hutchinson, [1950]. – 256 p. ; 19 cm.
IT MAKES THE WORLD | GO ROUND | OR | Saint Valentine’s Day | by | DENIS MACKAIL || HUTCHINSON & CO. (Publishers) LTD | London New York Melbourne Sydney Cape Town
127×184 mm: [A]8
B–Q8,
crown 8vo (139×190×22 mm)
contents:
[1–2], half-title, verso with classified list of ‘DENIS
MACKAIL | has also written’;
[3–4], title, verso with imprint ‘Printed in Great Britain by
The Anchor Press, Tiptree, Essex’;
5–256, text
issued in: tan cloth, lettered in black on spine; white endpapers; all
edges trimmed; [dust jacket not seen]
published: in 1950-10 at
9/6
this novel was expanded from the short story of the same title, which first appeared in The Strand magazine dated 1937-12 and was collected in London lovers (1938); on 1964-10-15 Mackail wrote to David A. Jasen (biographer of P. G. Wodehouse) “Have now, daringly, glanced at both the story and the novel called ‘It Makes the World Go Round’ and take your point. There is no difference at all, though I managed to sell the material twice – once as a short story and once as a novel.”
works edited/contributed to
by Denis Mackail
The Westminster Shakespeare (1915)
This edition of five of the plays most often used in schools, was edited from The Cambridge Shakespeare to make it easier for reading in classrooms and at home.
As you like it / arranged for reading by D. G. Mackail. – London : Constable, 1915. – 103 p. ; 21 cm. – (The Westminster Shakespeare)
THE WESTMINSTER SHAKESPEARE | [rule] | AS YOU LIKE IT | Arranged for reading by | D. G. MACKAIL || CONSTABLE & COMPANY LTD | LONDON
135×207 mm: [A]8
B–G8
H4,
8vo (140×210×12 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with series statement: ‘The Westminster
Shakespeare | Arranged for reading | under the supervision of |
J. W. MACKAIL, | M.A., LL. D., formerly | Professor of Poetry
in | the University of Oxford’;
[iii–iv], title, verso with first published date and acknowledgement
‘The text of ”The Cambridge Shakespeare edited |
by W. Aldis Wright” is used by the kind |
permission of Messers. Macmillan & Co., Ltd.’;
[v–vi], prefatory note;
[vii–viii], note on reading aloud;
[1–2], bibliographical note, verso listing persons represented;
3–101, text;
102–103, glossary of obsolete or unfamiliar words and phrases;
[104], at foot, imprint below rule ‘BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD.,
PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE.’
issued in: tan cloth, lettered in black on spine (title only,
rules at head and foot)
and front board: ‘AS YOU LIKE IT | ARR. FOR READING BY |
J. W. [sic] MACKAIL | [tragedy/comedy mask device] ||
THE WESTMINSTER SHAKESPEARE’;
front board with blocked single rule border incorporating 2×2
chequerboard decoration in each corner;
white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket, if issued, not seen]
published: in 1915-08
Julius Caesar / arranged for reading by D. G. Mackail. – London : Constable, 1915. – 101 p. ; 21 cm. – (The Westminster Shakespeare)
THE WESTMINSTER SHAKESPEARE | [rule] | JULIUS CÆSAR | Arranged for reading by | D. G. MACKAIL || CONSTABLE & COMPANY LTD | LONDON
135×207 mm: [A]8
B–G8
H2
I1,
8vo (140×210×12 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with series statement (as
above);
[iii–iv], title, verso with edition statement (as
above);
[v–vi], prefatory note;
[vii–viii], note on reading aloud;
[1–2], bibliographical note, verso listing persons represented;
3–100, text;
101–[102], glossary of obsolete or unfamiliar words and phrases;
at foot of page [102], imprint below rule ‘BRADBURY, AGNEW,
& CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE.’
issued in: tan cloth, lettered in black on spine (title only,
rules at head and foot) and front board (as
above);
front board with blocked single rule border incorporating 2×2
chequerboard decoration in each corner;
white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket, if issued, not seen]
published: in 1915-08
Macbeth / arranged for reading by D. G. Mackail. – London : Constable, 1915. – 93 p. ; 21 cm. – (The Westminster Shakespeare)
THE WESTMINSTER SHAKESPEARE | [rule] | MACBETH | Arranged for reading by | D. G. MACKAIL || CONSTABLE & COMPANY LTD | LONDON
135×207 mm: [A]8
B–F8
G7,
8vo (140×210×12 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with series statement (as
above);
[iii–iv], title, verso with edition statement (as
above);
[v–vi], prefatory note;
[vii–viii], note on reading aloud;
[1–2], bibliographical note, verso listing persons represented;
3–91, text;
92–[94], glossary of obsolete or unfamiliar words and phrases;
at foot of page [94], imprint below rule ‘BRADBURY, AGNEW,
& CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE.’
issued in: tan cloth, lettered in black on spine (title only,
rules at head and foot) and front board (as
above);
front board with blocked single rule border incorporating 2×2
chequerboard decoration in each corner;
white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket, if issued, not seen]
published: in 1915-08
The merchant of Venice / arranged for reading by D. G. Mackail. – London : Constable, 1915. – 101 p. ; 21 cm. – (The Westminster Shakespeare)
THE WESTMINSTER SHAKESPEARE | [rule] | THE MERCHANT OF VENICE | Arranged for reading by | D. G. MACKAIL || CONSTABLE & COMPANY LTD | LONDON
135×207 mm: [A]8
B–G8
H2
I1,
8vo (140×210×12 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with series statement (as
above);
[iii–iv], title, verso with edition statement (as
above);
[v–vi], prefatory note;
[vii–viii], note on reading aloud;
[1–2], bibliographical note, verso listing persons represented;
3–99, text;
100–101, glossary of obsolete or unfamiliar words and phrases;
[102], at foot, imprint below rule ‘BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD.,
PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE.’
issued in: tan cloth, lettered in black on spine (title only,
rules at head and foot) and front board (as
above);
front board with blocked single rule border incorporating 2×2
chequerboard decoration in each corner;
white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket, if issued, not seen]
published: in 1915-08
Romeo and Juliet / arranged for reading by D. G. Mackail. – London : Constable, 1915. – 117 p. ; 21 cm. – (The Westminster Shakespeare)
THE WESTMINSTER SHAKESPEARE | [rule] | ROMEO & JULIET | Arranged for reading by | D. G. MACKAIL || CONSTABLE & COMPANY LTD | LONDON
135×207 mm: [A]8
B–H8
I2
K1,
8vo (140×210×12 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], half-title, verso with series statement (as
above);
[iii–iv], title, verso with edition statement (as
above);
[v–vi], prefatory note;
[vii–viii], note on reading aloud;
[1–2], bibliographical note, verso blank;
3–4, list of persons represented, verso with Prologue (sonnet);
5–115, text;
116–[118], glossary of obsolete or unfamiliar words and phrases;
at foot of page [118], imprint below rule ‘BRADBURY, AGNEW,
& CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE.’
issued in: tan cloth, lettered in black on spine (title only,
rules at head and foot) and front board (as
above);
front board with blocked single rule border incorporating 2×2
chequerboard decoration in each corner;
white endpapers; all edges trimmed;
[dust jacket, if issued, not seen]
published: in 1915-08
According to the ‘prefatory note’: “This edition of Shakespeare’s plays is meant to place them before ordinary readers in the simplest possible form, for use and enjoyment.” Amongst the features are placement of the speakers’ names centrally above each speech and the addition of marginal notes containing stage directions not included in the text. As regards the text: “A very few lines are omitted in the text which transgress the accepted standards of decency, and the excision of which, without materially injuring the scenes in which they occur, removes a real cause of offence and a real source of discomfort or anxiety.”
Happiness in Hove (1949)
An introduction and guide to the borough of Hove, Sussex, in the immediate post-war period. Denis contributed the encomium ‘Happiness in Hove’ on pages 5-14, which gives its title to the volume, but probably wouldn’t have been involved in other aspects of its production.
Happiness in Hove : official guide of the Borough of Hove, 1949-50 / by Denis Mackail [and others]. – Hove : Hove Corporation, 1949. – 100 p. : ill., map ; 22? cm.
Happiness in | HOVE by | DENIS MACKAIL | [borough crest] | Official Guide | of the Borough of Hove | 1949-50 | PRICE ONE SHILLING
>158×>205 mm: [1–3]16
[4]8
[5–7]16 on coated white paper,
8vo (>158×>205×6 mm)
contents:
[i–ii], paste-down to front cover;
[1–2], title, verso with contents, acknowledgements and imprint
‘Designed and printed at Hove by The Eagle Press, 170 Church Road.’;
[3–4], frontispiece illustrations;
5–100, text;
[101–102], paste-down to rear cover
issued in: colour-printed stiff card covers with Hove Corporation crest
above ‘Hove | by Denis Mackail’ on front and back; all edges trimmed;
no dust jacket
published: in 1949 at 1/‒
the two copies seen have been bound in hard covers and have therefore been trimmed (severely in the case of the British Library copy!); hence the lower limits given for the original page and item sizes
full details of the contents are :
- Happiness in Hove / Denis Mackail – pages 5–14
- Facts and figures / C. G. Browne [Publicity Advisor, Hove Corporation] – pages 16–38
- Property in Hove / Harry E. Oliver, F. A. L. P. A. – page 39
- Picture section [including map] – pages 40–64
- Advertisements – pages 67–92
- Classified list of advertisers – pages 93–99
scraper board illustrations throughout the editorial matter are by O. S. Sheldon
the British Library copy (BM accession date 1954-03-05!) has a cloth mounted, folded, three-colour litho map of Brighton and Hove, scale 6″ to one mile, tipped-in at the back board, but it is not known whether this was issued with the guide or acquired separately
as described in Life with Topsy (page 405), Mackail was commissioned to write in praise of Hove in 1939 (presumably by the Borough Council), and did some work on the text over the Whitsun Bank Holiday in that year; however, publication of such ephemeral material was necessarily suspended during the war and by the time this guide-book appeared the Mackails were actually living in Hove (perhaps because of the research Denis put in?)
periodical appearances of
Denis Mackail’s work
most entries in this section refer to short stories (5000-7000 words): other pieces have a type designation or length in square brackets after the title
entries here are in chronological order: for an alphabetical list of short story titles see my checklist page
you may wish to jump to the start of a year’s listing :
1912
·
1913–1919
1920
·
1921
·
1922
·
1923
·
1924
·
1925
·
1926
·
1927
·
1928
·
1929
1930
·
1931
·
1932
·
1933
·
1934
·
1935
·
1936
·
1937
·
1938
·
1939
1940
·
1941
·
1942
note : this section is incomplete; there are full details for the following titles and dates covering the period Mackail was publishing stories in periodicals (1922–1950; in Life with Topsy, page 16, he tells us that his first short story was accepted by The Strand magazine after his second novel was published) :
| magazine title | publisher | coverage here | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The argosy | Cassell / Amalgamated | 1926–1974 | complete |
| Blackwood’s magazine | Blackwood | 1901–1980 | complete |
| The empire review | Macmillan | 1922–1939 | complete for DM period |
| The London magazine / The new London magazine | Amalgamated | 1922–1925; 1927–1931 | wants 1926 (missing at BL), 1932-1933 |
|
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine / Pall Mall magazine |
Hearst | 1922-04 to 1927-04 and 1931-01 to 1934-12 | wants gap and 1935–1937 |
| Pearson’s magazine | Pearson | 1922 to 1936, 1939-02/P3M | wants 1937-01 to 1939-01, 1939-05/P7M |
| The royal magazine | Pearson | 1921-11 to 1930-04 | wants rest of 1930 and later changed title |
| The Strand magazine | Newnes | 1890–1950 | complete |
| The Windsor magazine | Ward, Lock | 1922–1939 | complete for DM period |
(Statistics of the number of Mackail’s stories known to have appeared in each magazine are available at the end of my checklist of his short stories.)
Details are taken from original copies wherever possible and the coverage has been determined by availability of relevant volumes in accessible libraries – and my own collection in a few cases! However, entries for The Strand magazine have been checked against the index of that journal compiled by Geraldine Beare (Greenwood Press, 1982) and the strange gap in their publication of Mackail stories throughout 1928 is not an error on my part! Similarly, coverage of Blackwood’s magazine and The argosy (which reprinted stories) is known to be complete because of indexes by David Finkelstein (Scholar Press, 1995) and The FictionMags Index respectively.
I have also been able to track down by inspection a number of articles and stories in fiction magazines of which only partial runs are available and in The radio times. Most of the other details have been gleaned from the web, either from The FictionMags Index or from booksellers who have indexed magazine numbers for sale. Note that I have included magazines, such as the The argosy (UK) and Modern stories, which reprinted existing popular material under licence. The story titles for reprinted pieces are in grey and they are listed after new stories in the appropriate month. (This grey titling does not apply to stories appearing in different magazines on the two sides of the Atlantic, where the later of the two is not considered to be a reprint of the earlier.)
Few libraries retain copies of popular magazines from this period, and their holdings are often incomplete, so my progress in tracking down these references has been slow and I await with interest the proposed Index to British popular fiction magazines: 1880–1950 by Mike Ashley and William G. Contento, which is now due out in 2012 from the National Bibliographic service of the British Library. Details of the various titles and general discussion of their histories and contents are available in The age of the storytellers : British popular fiction magazines, 1880–1950 / Mike Ashley. – London : British Library ; New Castle, DE : Oak Knoll Press, 2006. – ISBN 0-7123-0698-6 (BL); ISBN 1-58456-170-x (OKP). Unfortunately, even when the Index is eventually available, one will still be left with the complete absence of bibliographic information about fiction published in newspapers after the Victorian age! (Isn’t it strange how we know so much more about the nineteenth century than about the twentieth century, and that this will only get worse as out-of-copyright material becomes available digitally before that still in copyright?)
date(s) unknown
All about artists
(occasional series: Long Hobson)
The news chronicle
reprinted in The first class omnibus (1934)
1912
Banglewick’s bowler [approx. 1700 words]
The blue book : conducted by Oxford undergraduates,
1 (4, December), 307–313
possibly Mackail’s first published fiction (it’s about a freshman undergraduate)
1913–1921
[nothing known]
1922
Mr. Mackail’s first novel [letter]
The times (London), no. 43033
(1922-05-17, Wednesday), 16d
Mackail points out that his first novel was not published before he was twenty, as a Times reviewer had claimed in a brief notice of Bill the bachelor (in no. 43031, 1922-05-15, p. 16d – which had also spelled his name ‘Dennis MacKail’ by the way!)
Gibson and the blue emerald
(series: Henry Gibson)
{ill. Frank Gillett}
The Strand magazine, 64 (September), 195–204
reprinted in According to Gibson (chapter 8)
Gibson and the specialist
(series: Henry Gibson)
{ill. Frank Gillett}
The Strand magazine, 64 (October), 351–360
reprinted in According to Gibson (chapter 5)
1923
“The Pro” {not ill.}
The empire review, 37 (269, June), 655–670
Gibson and the wager
(series: Henry Gibson)
{ill. Frank Gillett}
The Strand magazine, 65 (June), 559–569
reprinted from According to Gibson (chapter 7)
At Mr Besley’s
{ill. Norah Schlegel}
The Strand magazine, 66 (November), 462–468
A ghost story for Christmas Eve
Evening news (London), ? (24 December), ?–?
1924
“What is my secret?”
{ill. F. E. Hiley}
The Strand magazine, 67 (February), 159–168
The enthusiasts
{ill. J. H. Thorpe}
The Windsor magazine, 59 (353, May), 638–647
reprinted in The grand magazine, 1933-11
The Parnassus prize
{ill. Frank Gillett}
The Strand magazine, 68 (July), 25–33
My radio reminiscences : how I became a listener
[article]
The radio times, 4 (44, 1924-07-25), 199
My pretty cousin
(occasional series: My pretty cousin)
{ill. Norah Schlegel}
The Strand magazine, 68 (August), 147–157
Hardface’s half-holiday
{ill. Bertram Prance}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
74, 380 (December), 58–59, 180–186
1925
The cottagers
{ill. Bertram Prance}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
74, 382 (February), 18–19, 88–92
The discoveries at Buz
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The Strand magazine, 69 (February), 204–211
reprinted in How amusing! (number [24])
A comic tragedian
{ill. Bertram Prance}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
75, 384 (April), 40–41, 126–128, 130, 132, 134
For love of Galatea (To rhyme with Asia)
{ill. F. E. Hiley}
Pearson’s magazine, 59 (352, April), 288–296
Mr Clements
{ill. Reginald Cleaver}
The Strand magazine, 69 (April), 415–423
reprinted in How amusing! (number [22])
Nana sahib {not ill.}
The empire review, 41 (292, May), 496–509
reprinted in How amusing! (number [14])
Gunnersbury’s last case
{ill. Bertram Prance}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
75, 385 (May), 26–27, 82–86
My pretty cousin again
(occasional series: My pretty cousin)
{ill. S. Briault}
The Strand magazine, 69 (June), 624–633
How amusing!
{ill. Bertram Prance}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
75, 387 (July), 30–32, 115–120
reprinted in How amusing! (number [30])
The beautiful Miss Hooper
(occasional series: My pretty cousin)
{ill. S. Briault}
The Strand magazine, 70 (July), 97–107
Revenge is sweet
(occasional series: My pretty cousin)
{ill. S. Briault}
The Strand magazine, 70 (August), 124–134
reprinted in How amusing! (number [15])
The pyjamas of destiny {not ill.}
The empire review, 42 (296, September), 268–282
The Weekes case
{ill. S. Seymour Lucas}
The Strand magazine, 70 (September), 251–259
Hugo the sleuth
(series: Hugo Peak)
Hearst’s international combined with Cosmopolitan
(US),
79?, 4? (October), 98–?
reprinted in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine
(UK),
1925-12,
and in
The fortunes of Hugo
(chapter 1)
The debt
{ill. Alfred Leate}
Pearson’s magazine, 60 (358, October), 315–323
announced in the previous issue as Paying the debt;
reprinted in
How amusing!
(number [9])
Bradsmith was right
(occasional series: Bradsmith)
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The Strand magazine, 70 (October), 377–387
reprinted in the general anthology Georgian stories, 1926, in the Mackail collection How amusing! (number [4]) and in the general anthology A century of humour (1935)
The pocket nightingale (series: Hugo Peak)
Hearst’s international combined with Cosmopolitan
(US),
79?, 5? (November), 100–?
reprinted in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine
(UK),
1926-01,
and in
The fortunes of Hugo
(chapter 2)
The mascot
{ill. W. Dewar Mills}
Pearson’s magazine, 60 (359, November), 396–406
Playing the game
{ill. J. H. Thorpe}
The Windsor magazine, 62 (371, November), 656–665
The Todd Street ghost (series: Hugo Peak)
Hearst’s international combined with Cosmopolitan
(US),
79?, 6? (December), 100–?
reprinted in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine
(UK),
1926-03,
and in
The fortunes of Hugo
(chapter 3)
Hugo the sleuth
(series: Hugo Peak)
{ill. James Montgomery Flagg}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
76, 392 (December), 52–55, 136, 138, 140, 142
first published in Hearst’s international c/w Cosmopolitan
(US),
1925-10;
reprinted in
The fortunes of Hugo
(chapter 1)
The mistletoe bough
(occasional series: My pretty cousin)
{ill. Oakdale}
Pearson’s magazine, 60 (360, December), 491–499
1926
Feet of clay
(series: Hugo Peak)
Hearst’s international combined with Cosmopolitan
(US),
80?, 1? (January), 100–?
reprinted in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine
(UK),
1926-04,
and in
The fortunes of Hugo
(chapter 4)
The pocket nightingale
(series: Hugo Peak)
{ill. James Montgomery Flagg}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
76, 393 (January), 22–25, 98, 100, 102
first published in Hearst’s international c/w Cosmopolitan
(US),
1925-11;
reprinted in
The fortunes of Hugo
(chapter 2)
The court of honour
{ill. Thomas Henry}
Pearson’s magazine, 61 (361, January), 13–21
reprinted in How amusing! (number [2])
Earn while you learn
(series: Hugo Peak)
Hearst’s international combined with Cosmopolitan
(US),
80?, 2? (February), 94–?
reprinted in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine
(UK),
1926-05,
and in
The fortunes of Hugo
(as chapter 7, College days)
Hugo’s new suit
(series: Hugo Peak)
{ill. Gilbert Wilkinson}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
76, 394 (February), 46–49, 137–142
reprinted in The fortunes of Hugo (chapter 5)
The case of Mr Clodd
(occasional series: My pretty cousin)
{ill. Skelton}
Pearson’s magazine, 61 (362, February), 110–120
A girl in a million
(series: Hugo Peak)
Hearst’s international combined with Cosmopolitan
(US),
80, 3 (March), 100–?
reprinted in Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine
(UK),
1926-10,
and in
The fortunes of Hugo
(chapter 10)
The Todd Street ghost
(series: Hugo Peak)
{ill. T. D. Skidmore}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
76, 395 (March), 56–58, 60, 62, 64
first published in Hearst’s international c/w Cosmopolitan
(US),
1925-12;
reprinted in
The fortunes of Hugo
(chapter 3)
Roderick dines out
{ill. Stanley Lloyd}
Pearson’s magazine, 61 (363, March), 201–209
Feet of clay
(series: Hugo Peak)
{ill. T. D. Skidmore}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
77, 396 (April), 18–19, 90, 92, 94, 96
first published in Hearst’s international c/w Cosmopolitan
(US),
1926-01;
reprinted in
The fortunes of Hugo
(chapter 4)
The lost cocktail
{ill. A. Wallis Mills}
Pearson’s magazine, 61 (364, April), 315–324
reprinted in How amusing! (number [17])
Earn while you learn
(series: Hugo Peak)
{ill. T. D. Skidmore}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
77, 397 (May), 58–60, 62, 64, 66
first published in Hearst’s international c/w Cosmopolitan
(US),
1926-02;
reprinted in
The fortunes of Hugo
(as chapter 7, College days)
Love among the house-agents
{ill. Skelton}
Pearson’s magazine, 61 (365, May), 398–407
The intervention of Algernon
(series: Hugo Peak)
{ill. Gilbert Wilkinson}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
77, 398 (June), 50–53, 153–160
reprinted in The fortunes of Hugo (chapter 8)
The gallery girls
{ill. Treyer Evans}
Pearson’s magazine, 61 (366, June), 527–536
Hugo in the underworld
(series: Hugo Peak)
{ill. Gilbert Wilkinson}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
77, 399 (July/August dbl no.), 56–59,
132, 134, 136–138, 141
reprinted in The fortunes of Hugo (chapter 9)
The diplomat
{ill. Skelton}
Pearson’s magazine, 62 (367, July), 22–31
Pym’s party
{ill. Albert Bailey}
Pearson’s magazine, 62 (368, August), 133–141
reprinted in the anthology Georgian stories, 1927, in the collection How amusing! (number [3]), and in the anthology A century of love stories
The hotel game
(occasional series: My pretty cousin)
{ill. S. Briault}
The Strand magazine, 72 (August), 107–117
As you were
(series: Hugo Peak)
{ill. Gilbert Wilkinson}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
77, 400 (September), 37–39, 106–108, 110
reprinted in The fortunes of Hugo (chapter 6)
Mr Weaver’s fairy story
{ill. Reginald Cleaver}
Pearson’s magazine, 62 (369, September), 218–228
reprinted in How amusing! (number [12])
A girl in a million
(series: Hugo Peak)
{ill. T. D. Skidmore}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
78, 401 (October), 52–53, 149–154
first published in Hearst’s international c/w Cosmopolitan
(US),
1926-03;
reprinted in
The fortunes of Hugo
(chapter 10)
Among the presents
{ill. Skelton}
Pearson’s magazine, 62 (370, October), 309–319
reprinted in How amusing! (number [23])
Up top
{ill. Stanley Lloyd}
The Strand magazine, 72 (October), 329–337
reprinted in How amusing! (number [18])
In the shop
{ill. Gilbert Wilkinson}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
78, 402 (November), 20–23, 96, 98, 100
Why dramatists don’t write plays
{ill. Gilbert Wilkinson}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
78, 403 (December), 58–61, 172–178
2026 [article]
{ill. Eric Fraser}
The radio times, 13, (168, 1926-12-17), 682
The two mirrors
{two-col. ill. Fred Purvis}
The Strand magazine, 72 (December), 529–538
[Christmas lead story]
1927
A fragment from Gibson
([occasional] series: Henry Gibson)
{ill. Gilbert Wilkinson}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
78, 404 (January), 22–25, 83–86
[had not appeared in According to Gibson (1923)]
Cupid at the cross-roads
{ill. Reginald Cleaver}
The Strand magazine, 73 (January), 13–22
The two-seater
{ill. R. C. Peter}
The Strand magazine, 73 (February), 184–192
reprinted in Having fun (number 21), and later in The grand magazine, 1934-03
Gibson on lunch: an anecdote
([occasional] series: Henry Gibson)
{ill. Gilbert Wilkinson}
Nash’s and Pall Mall magazine,
78, 406 (March), 46–49, 114–118
[had not appeared in According to Gibson (1923)]
Mrs Axminster’s butler
{ill. Stanley Lloyd}
The Strand magazine, 73 (March), 252–261
reprinted in How amusing! (number [6])
contribution (on page 400) to How my plots come to me, 2
[article]
The Strand magazine, 73 (April), 392–401
The Cubitts – and their daughter
(series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Wallis Mills}
The royal magazine,
58 (343, May), 22–32
reprinted in Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 1)
Half an hour at Duval’s
{ill. A. T. Smith}
The Strand magazine, 73 (May), 433–442
reprinted in How amusing! (number [19])
The Hunters – and their telephone
(series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Wallis Mills}
The royal magazine,
58 (344, June), 120–130
reprinted in Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 2)
The Meiklejohns and their luck
(series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Wallis Mills}
The royal magazine,
58 (345, July), 229–238
reprinted in Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 3)
The Newmans and their neighbours
(series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Wallis Mills}
The royal magazine,
58 (346, August), 356–366
reprinted in Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 4)
The handy husband
(series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Wallis Mills}
The royal magazine,
58 (347, September), 498–507
reprinted in Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 5)
Pigs after sunset {not ill.}
Pall Mall magazine, N.S. 1, 6 (October), 60–68
reprinted in How amusing! (number [8])
The Lovetts and their dog
(series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Wallis Mills}
The royal magazine,
58 (348, October), 615–624
reprinted in Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 6)
An exception to the rule
(series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Wallis Mills}
The royal magazine,
59 (349, November), 37–46
reprinted in Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 7)
You may telephone from here
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 64 (384, December), 650–659
A Christmas Eve story
{ill.}
The radio times, 17, (221, 1927-12-23), 643–644
No. 31, The Poultons and their party
(series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Wallis Mills}
The royal magazine,
59 (350, December), 207–215
reprinted in Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 8)
contribution (on page 644) to The great characters of fiction:
which should I most like to have created
[article]
The Strand magazine, 74 (December), 642–648
The mystery of the managing director
(series: Henry Gibson)
The argosy, 2, 19 (December), 91–98?
reprint, probably from According to Gibson (chapter 6)
1928
Their love letters
{ill. [J. R. Skelton]}
Pearson’s magazine, 65 (385, January), 37–45
The Sumners and their staff
(series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Wallis Mills}
The royal magazine,
59 (351, January), 286–294
reprinted in Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 10)
An artist in crime
(occasional series: Long Hobson) {ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 65 (386, February), 126–135
reprinted in the general anthology The best detective stories of the year and the Mackail collection How amusing! (number [20])
No. 24, The behaviour of the Binghams
(series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Wallis Mills}
The royal magazine,
59 (352, February), 346–356
reprinted in Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 9)
Black or white
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The London magazine, 60 (209, March), 289–298
reprinted in How amusing! (number [26])
The story of a laugh
(occasional series: Mrs Gilchrist)
{ill. Wallis Mills}
Pearson’s magazine, 65 (387, March), 236–245
reprinted in How amusing! (number [13])
The little presents
(series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Wallis Mills}
The royal magazine,
59 (353, March), 472–481
reprinted in Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 11)
Mainly about marriage
{ill. Treyer Evans}
Pearson’s magazine, 65 (388, April), 342–350
Good-bye to Greenery Street
(series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Wallis Mills}
The royal magazine,
59 (354, April), 565–573
reprinted in Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 12)
Mr – and Mrs – Mystery
{ill. L. G. Illingworth}
The London magazine, 60 (211, May), 484–493
reprinted, as Mr (and Mrs) Mystery, in Having fun (number 3)
The death of the blues
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 65 (389, May), 462–470
“Signs of spring”
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The London magazine, 60 (212, June), 645–653
Through the windscreen
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 65 (390, June), 588–597
reprinted in How amusing! (number [27])
As you dislike it
{ill. Joyce Dennys}
The London magazine, 61 (213, July), 30–38
reprinted in How amusing! (number [1])
As a matter of fact
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 66 (391, July), 32–40
reprinted in Having fun (number 26)
Bang!
{ill. Wallis Mills}
Pearson’s magazine, 66 (393, September), 235–243
reprinted in How amusing! (number [21])
Gyratory
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 66 (395, November), 472–480
reprinted in How amusing! (number [11])
The truth about mistletoe
[article]
{two col. half-tone ill.
[Field Smith]}
Pearson’s magazine, 66 (396, December), 668–669
contribution (on pages 600-601) to Drawn from life?
[article]
The Strand magazine, 76 (December), 595–603
1929
The man who wrote love stories
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 67 (397, January), 12–20
After the séance
{ill. Stanley Lloyd}
The London magazine, 62 (220, February), 184–192
reprinted in How amusing! (number [10])
Gooseberry fool
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 67 (399, March), 280–289
reprinted in Having fun (number 7)
His lordship
{ill. [S.] Abbey}
The Strand magazine, 77 (March), 249–259
reprinted in How amusing! (number [16])
The boy who broke her toys
{ill. Joyce Dennys}
The London magazine, 62 (222, April), 394–402
reprinted in Having fun (number 5)
Mishap to a bishop
{ill. Edgar Spenceley}
Hutchinson’s magazine, 21 (5, May), 424–430
Rogues and vagabonds : reflections of a would-be playgoer
[article]
Blackwood’s magazine, 225 (1364, June), 766–768
Double fault
{ill. S. Tresilian}
The Strand magazine, 78 (July), 24–33
reprinted in How amusing! (number [25])
The chink in Miss Flamborough’s armour
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The London magazine, 63 (226, August), 154–165
reprinted in Having fun (number 20)
Brother Rex works it
(series: The young Livingstones)
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 68 (404, August), 146–154
reprinted in The young Livingstones (as chapter 1, Just an idea)
Lucky Lucille
{ill. Wilton Williams}
The Strand magazine, 78 (August), 114–122
reprinted in Having fun (number 13)
The ring
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The London magazine, 63 (227, September), 270–279
Many happy returns
(series: The young Livingstones)
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 68 (405, September), 284–292
reprinted in The young Livingstones (as chapter 2)
Aristocratic old lady
{ill. Wilton Williams}
The Strand magazine, 78 (September), 253–262
reprinted in How amusing! (number [29])
The gift of the bridegroom
(series: The young Livingstones)
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 68 (406, October), 366–374
reprinted in The young Livingstones (as chapter 3)
Barbara drops a brick!
(series: The young Livingstones)
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 68 (407, November), 546–554
reprinted in The young Livingstones (as chapter 4, The literary man)
In the dome
{two-col. ill. Howard Elcock}
The London magazine, 63 (230, December), 606–615
[Christmas lead story]
The wolf from the door
(series: The young Livingstones)
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 68 (408, December), 583–591
reprinted in The young Livingstones (as chapter 5)
A day with a débutante
{two-col. ill. Stanley Davis}
The Strand magazine, 78 (December), 625–633
reprinted in Having fun (number 1)
No getting away from it : a story
{ill.}
The radio times, 25 (325, 1929-12-20),
846-847, 895
1930
Rex gets a free ticket
(series: The young Livingstones)
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 69 (409, January), 49–57
reprinted in The young Livingstones (as chapter 6, The triangle)
“Do you love me?”
Hearst’s international combined with Cosmopolitan,
88, 2 (February), 36–37?
Love among the Livingstones
(series: The young Livingstones)
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 69 (410, February), 160–168
announced as Trial by tact in the previous issue;
reprinted in
The young Livingstones
(as chapter 7, Trial by tact)
Pym’s party
The argosy, 7, 45 (February), 25–32?
first published in Pearson’s magazine;
1926-08;
reprint, probably from
How amusing!, number [3]
Almost all about April
(series: The young Livingstones)
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 69 (411, March), 264–274
reprinted in The young Livingstones (as chapter 8)
Hands off Barbara!
(series: The young Livingstones)
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 69 (412, April), 383–392
announced as The inseparables in the previous issue;
reprinted in
The young Livingstones
(as chapter 9, The inseparables)
Barbara’s blues
(series: The young Livingstones)
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 69 (413, May), 471–480
reprinted in The young Livingstones (as chapter 10)
Her umbrella
{ill. W. Bryce Hamilton}
The Strand magazine, 79 (May), 445–453
The still younger Yardleys
(series: The young Livingstones)
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 69 (414, June), 604–613
reprinted in The young Livingstones (as chapter 11)
The footling mystery of the Baverstock vase
(occasional series: Long Hobson)
{ill. Illingworth}
The Strand magazine, 79 (June), 592–602
reprinted in the anthology Best crime stories
The courtship of Beano Blennerhassett
{ill. L. G. Illingworth}
The London magazine, 65 (237, July), 32–40
reprinted in Having fun (number 16)
The best adventure
(series: The young Livingstones)
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 70 (415, July), 78–87
reprinted in The young Livingstones (as chapter 12, The last adventure)
The kiss effect
{ill. John Campbell}
The Strand magazine, 80 (July), 36–45
reprinted in Having fun (number 15)
contribution to Broadcasting the past
[article]
The Strand magazine, 80 (July), 19–26
The court of honour
The argosy, 8, 50 (July), 15–22?
reprint, probably from How amusing!, number [2]
Pretty low
{ill. Charles Crombie}
The London magazine, 65 (238, August), 173–183
The last word
{ill. John Campbell}
The Strand magazine, 80 (August), 173–182
reprinted in Having fun (number 12)
The blind boy
{ill. Elizabeth Earnshaw}
The Strand magazine, 80 (September), 244–252
reprinted in Having fun (number 23)
Art and craft
(occasional series: Long Hobson)
{ill. T[erence] Cuneo}
The London magazine, 65 (240, October), 397–406
A woman at the wheel
{ill. John Campbell}
The Strand magazine, 80 (October), 379–389
The stars have spoken
[short]
The new London magazine, 1 (2, December), 53–54
1931
The Birdwoods’ bathroom
{ill. Crombie}
Pearson’s magazine, 71 (421, January), 1–9
reprinted in Having fun (number 11)
The rum business of the bust
(occasional series: Long Hobson)
{ill. Leo Bates}
The Strand magazine, 81 (January), 13–23
The jemmy
(occasional series: Long Hobson)
{ill. Crombie}
Pearson’s magazine, 71 (422, February), 183–191
Calling a cab
{ill. Crombie}
Pearson’s magazine, 71 (423, March), 275–284
reprinted in Having fun (number 14)
Having fun
{ill. Crombie}
Pearson’s magazine, 71 (424, April), 404–412
reprinted in Having fun (number 30)
A midsummer ice cream
{ill. Crombie}
Pearson’s magazine, 71 (425, May), 483–492
reprinted in Having fun (number 9)
The Whitaker plot
{ill. S. Briault}
The Strand magazine, 81 (May), 525–535
Ten for tact
(occasional series: Mrs Gilchrist)
{ill. Illingworth}
The Strand magazine, 81 (June), 654–663
reprinted in Having fun (number 8)
A breath from the past
{ill. Crombie}
Pearson’s magazine, 72 (427, July), 44–53
reprinted in Having fun (number 28), and later in The grand magazine, 1934-06
The slightly strange case of Miss Mimms
{ill. [Crombie]}
Pearson’s magazine, 72 (428, August), 145–153
Happily married
{ill. Gordon Nicoll}
The Strand magazine, 82 (August), 182–193
The little arm-chair
([occasional] series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Crombie}
Pearson’s magazine, 72 (429, September), 251–260
reprinted in Having fun (number 25)
Not so neat
([occasional] series: New tales from Greenery Street)
{ill. Crombie}
Pearson’s magazine, 72 (430, October), 388–396
reprinted in Having fun (number 4)
Well done, Horsey!
{ill. Stanley Davis}
The Strand magazine, 82 (October), 366–376
reprinted in Having fun (number 6)
Mr Warburton’s discovery
[approx. 1500 words]
{ill. Stanley Lloyd}
The Windsor magazine, 74 (443, October), 612–615
The law and the profit
(occasional series: Long Hobson)
{ill. Crombie}
Pearson’s magazine, 72 (431, November), 493–502
Christmas at the Crabapple
{ill. H. Harris}
Pearson’s magazine, 72 (432, December), 632–640
1932
The sculptor knew best
{ill. [Illingworth]}
Pearson’s magazine, 73 (433, January), 25–35
The secret of success
{ill. John Campbell}
The Strand magazine, 83 (February), 159–168
Bradsmith was wrong
(occasional series: Bradsmith)
{ill. Arthur Watts}
The Strand magazine, 83 (March), 287–296
reprinted in Having fun (number 10)
What noise annoys an author?
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 73 (437, May), 491–500
reprinted in Having fun (number 29)
The curious case of the collector
{ill. Norman Hepple}
The Strand magazine, 83 (May), 493–503
He who gets tipped
{ill. Crombie}
Pearson’s magazine, 73 (438, June), 572–580
reprinted in Having fun (number 27)
The rule of three
{ill. Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 74 (439, July), 62–70
Daisy, Daisy!
{ill. Andrew Johnson}
The Strand magazine, 84 (July), 55–63
reprinted in Having fun (number 19)
Romance at Belloni’s
{ill. Arthur Watts}
The Strand magazine, 84 (August), 186–194
reprinted in Having fun (number 18)
Sh!
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 74 (441, September), 268–277
Podd the press agent
(occasional series: Miss Mauleverer)
{ill. Grant Reid}
The Strand magazine, 84 (September), 300–309
The blind witness
{ill. Batt}
Pearson’s magazine, 74 (443, November), 478–487
reprinted in London lovers (number 28)
1933
Man proposes
{ill. Molly Bishop}
Pearson’s magazine, 75 (446, February), 171–178
Musical Miranda
{ill. Frank Oldham}
The Strand magazine, 85 (February), 152–161
Humpy
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 75 (448, April), 370–379
Spring!
{ill. Frank Oldham}
The Strand magazine, 85 (April), 410–418
The sea again
{ill. Frank Oldham}
The Strand magazine, 85 (May), 503–511
The story of a laugh
(occasional series: Mrs Gilchrist)
The argosy, 13, 84 (May), 31–38?
reprint, probably from How amusing!, number [13]
The secret of the spats
(occasional series: Bradsmith)
{ill. Crombie}
Pearson’s magazine, 75 (450, June), 621–630
A footnote to a photograph
{ill. Crombie}
Pearson’s magazine, 76 (452, August), 183–192
Say it with cheese
{ill. Illingworth}
The Strand magazine, 86 (August), 196–204
reprinted in The great book of humour (1935)
Mrs Axminster’s butler
The argosy, 14, 87 (August), 27–34?
reprint, probably from How amusing!, number[6]
A master of gaiety : homage to a folly – the great reign of Pelissier
[article]
The times (London), no. 46557
(1933-09-23, Saturday), 11g–12a
(photographic ill. p. 14)
a reminiscence of Harry Gabriel Pélissier (1874–1913), founder of the variety troupe ‘The follies’
Perfect reception
{ill. Illingworth}
The Strand magazine, 86 (October), 390–399
reprinted in London lovers (number 6, as British shellfish)
The enthusiasts
{not ill.}
The grand magazine, 64 (November), 243–251
reprint, first appeared in The Windsor magazine dated 1924-05
The silent father
{ill. Arthur Watts}
Pearson’s magazine, 76 (456, December), 582–590
reprinted in London lovers (number 25)
The coast of Bohemia
{ill. Illingworth}
The Strand magazine, 86 (December), 601–609
1934
The turning point
{ill. Illingworth}
The Strand magazine, 87 (January), 13–21
Starvation corner
(occasional series: Mrs Gilchrist)
{ill. Illingworth}
Pearson’s magazine, 77 (459, March), 279–288
reprinted in A century of humour (1935) and in London lovers (number 29)
The two-seater
{not ill.}
The grand magazine, 65 (March), 34–42
reprint, first appeared in The Strand magazine dated 1927-02
Oh, woman!
{ill. H. Coller}
The Strand magazine, 87 (April), 410–419
The resources of civilisation
{ill. Charles Crombie}
Pearson’s magazine, 77 (462, June), 564–572
Back to Cinderella
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The Strand magazine, 87 (June), 643–651
reprinted in London lovers (number 2)
A breath from the past
{ not ill.}
The grand magazine, 65 (June), 314–322
reprint, first appeared in Pearson’s magazine dated 1931-07
Non-stop
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The Strand magazine, 88 (July), 32–39
reprinted in London lovers (number 8)
Pictures in the fire
(occasional series: Long Hobson)
{ill. Harold Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 78 (464, August), 117–126
Listening to Rupert
{ill. Harold Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 78 (465, September), 243–252
Jackson’s four-toed rumpiti
{ill. [H. A.] Seabright}
The Strand magazine, 88 (September), 325–334
reprinted in London lovers (number 7)
Gibson and the wager
(series: Henry Gibson)
The argosy, 16, 100 (September), 107–116?
reprint, probably from According to Gibson (chapter 7)
The little red hat
{ill. Harold Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 78 (466, October), 366–375
[title not known, but probably a ‘tale from Greenery Street’]
Modern stories, 1, 3 (October)
Mackail’s name appears on the cover of this issue of Modern stories, but no hard-copy is available to me to establish which story is reprinted here: judging by the subsequent issues (below) it should be one of the Tales from Greenery Street
[title not known]
Winter’s pie, ?, (November), ?
an advert in The Times lists Mackail among the contributors to this annual companion to Printer’s pie
The behaviour of the Binghams
Modern stories, 1, 4 (November), 41–51
reprinted from Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 9)
Gibson and the ghost
(series: Henry Gibson)
The argosy, 16, 103 (December), 91–99?
reprint, probably from According to Gibson (chapter 2)
The Lovetts and their dog
Modern stories, 1, 5 (December), 20–31
reprinted from Tales from Greenery Street (chapter 6)
1935
The first laugh, or, The importance of not being earnest
{ill. Harold Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 79 (469, January), 19–28
Happy new year
{ill. John Pimlott}
The Strand magazine, 89 (January), 85–93
reprinted in London lovers (number 1)
[The Sumners and their staff
Modern stories, 1, 6 (January) ]
this story was announced in the December 1934 Modern stories
for the January issue, but it is not yet known whether the latter actually
appeared, as the magazine was only short-lived;
the story was/would have been reprinted from
Tales from Greenery Street
(chapter 10)
Love locked in
{ill. Harold Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 79 (470, February), 169–178
reprinted in London lovers (number 5)
Dumb friends
{ill. Gilbert Wilkinson}
The Strand magazine, 89 (February), 166–175
Gibson and the specialist
(series: Henry Gibson)
The argosy, 17, 105 (February), 102–109?
reprint, probably from According to Gibson (chapter 5)
The magic word
{ill. Harold Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 79 (471, March), 277–286
What’s in a name
{ill. Tony Weare}
The Strand magazine, 89 (March), 249–257
reprinted in London lovers (number 4)
The life of Charles Edward Cantaloup
{ill. Gilbert Wilkinson}
The Strand magazine, 89 (April), 417–425
reprinted in London lovers (number 9)
Point-to-point
{ill. Harold Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 79 (473, May), 494–503
London lovers
{ill. Anna Zinkeisen}
The Strand magazine, 89 (May), 536–543
reprinted in London lovers (number 30)
You’re marvellous!
{ill. Frank Oldham}
The Strand magazine, 89 (June), 662–671
reprinted in London lovers (number 19)
The three-thirty
{ill. Harold Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 80 (475, July), 41–50
On the other hand
{ill. Frank Oldham}
The Strand magazine, 89 (August), 866–874
reprinted in London lovers (number 11)
A pair of them
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The Strand magazine, 89 (September), 933–941
The aspidistra
{ill. Harold Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 80 (478, October), 356–365
Is this it?
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The Strand magazine, 89 (October), 1049–1058
The riddle of the minx
{ill. Harold Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 80 (479, November), 490–499
reprinted in London lovers (number 10)
Oh, Charlie!
{ill. H. A. Seabright}
The Strand magazine, 90 (November), 73–80
reprinted in London lovers (number 14)
Cupboard love
{ill. [Harold] Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 80 (480, December), 588–597
1936
Progress
{ill. Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 81 (481, January), 68–77
The inaudible man
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The Strand magazine, 90 (January), 318–327
reprinted in London lovers (number 13)
Love at Upper Todbury
{ill. Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 81 (483, March), 262–271
The rider
{ill. Clixby Watson}
The Strand magazine, 90 (March), 509–519
Twopennyworth of crime
(occasional series: Long Hobson)
{ill. H. A. Seabright}
The Strand magazine, 91 (May), 75–83
reprinted in London lovers (number 17)
None so blind
{ill. Alfred Sindall}
The Strand magazine, 91 (June), 169–177
reprinted in London lovers (number 18)
We must have music
{ill. Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 82 (488, August), 150–158
The desert island
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The Strand magazine, 91 (August), 436–445
reprinted in London lovers (number 20)
Private detection
{ill. Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 82 (489, September), 257–265
reprinted in London lovers (number 3)
Art
{ill. Wilton Williams}
The Strand magazine, 91 (September), 504–512
reprinted in London lovers (number 27)
Smoke in their eyes
{ill. Frank Oldham}
The Strand magazine, 91 (October), 634–643
reprinted in London lovers (number 16)
The torch
{ill. John Pimlott}
The Strand magazine, 92 (November), 74–82
Jumping Jehoshaphat
{ill. Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 82 (492, December), 570–578
reprinted in London lovers (number 15)
1937
Double chin
{ill. Tony Weare}
The Strand magazine, 92 (February), 449–457
reprinted in London lovers (number 21)
Just like Birkin
(occasional series: Mrs Gilchrist)
{ill. Albert Bailey}
The Strand magazine, 92 (March), 566–574
The case of Jevington Beale
{ill. Jack Grandfield}
The Strand magazine, 92 (April), 676–684
reprinted in London lovers (number 23)
Flourish of trumpets
{ill. Jack Grandfield}
The Strand magazine, 93 (May), 40–48
reprinted in London lovers (number 22)
The schoolroom
{ill. H. A. Seabright}
The Strand magazine, 93 (June), 186–193
The admirable Pipkin
{ill. Clive Upton}
The Strand magazine, 93 (August), 420–427
The refractory table
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The Strand magazine, 93 (October), 634–642
The fourth monkey
{ill. Frank Oldham}
The Strand magazine, 94 (November), 82–90
It makes the world go round
{ill. Illingworth}
The Strand magazine, 94 (December), 167–176
reprinted in London lovers (number 24); this story was later expanded into a novel with the same title
1938
Dining out
{ill. Alfred Sindall}
The Strand magazine, 94 (January), 356–365
The quest
{ill. H. A. Seabright}
The Strand magazine, 94 (March), 571–580
The two Miss Hamptons
{ill. George Mitchell}
The Strand magazine, 95 (June), 186–195
Kiss and make up
{ill. Alfred Sindall}
The Strand magazine, 95 (July), 297–305
The head of the family
{ill. Bertram Prance}
The Strand magazine, 95 (August), 419–427
Brotherly love
{ill. Treyer Evans}
The Strand magazine, 95 (September), 538–546
Snow-man’s land
{ill. Bertram Prance}
The Strand magazine, 96 (December), 168–176
1939
Why do they do it?
{ill. Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 87 (519, March), 252–260
There, now!
{ill. Hailstone}
Pearson’s magazine, 87 (520, April), 369–378
1940
[nothing known]
1941
Down and up
{ill. Alfred Sindall}
The Strand magazine, 100 (January), 185–191
Bingley rides again
{ill. Bertram Prance}
The Strand magazine, 100 (April), 407–413
The professional angle
{ill. [Bertram Prance]}
The Strand magazine, 101 (June), 108–115
Public relations
{ill. Bertram Prance}
The Strand magazine, 101 (August), 280–286
Just one big family
{ill. [Dudley S. Cowes?] }
The Strand magazine, 102 (November), 190–201
1942
Bridge-work
{ill. ?}
The Strand magazine, 102 (February), 471–478
anthologized appearances of
Denis Mackail’s work
note : this section is probably incomplete: there are only details of volumes which have been catalogued by libraries in Britain or America, or advertised on the internet, with sufficient information to identify Mackail as a contributor; entries are in chronological order of the year of first appearance of each anthology, with volumes in the same year arranged by anthology title; details of American publications are derived from the NUC
The slogan king
in :
The windmill : stories, essays, poems and pictures by authors and
artists whose works are published at the sign of the windmill /
edited by L. Callender. –
London : Heinemann, 1923. –
ix, 225 p.,
[10] leaves of plates (some col.) :
ill.,
facsims., music ;
26 cm.
— pages 62–65
the windmill in question is Heinemann’s publisher’s device
The mystery of the managing director
(series: Henry Gibson)
in :
Georgian stories. –
1924. –
London : Chapman & Hall, 1924. –
vi, 296 p. ;
20 cm.
— pages 232–249
reprinted from According to Gibson (chapter 6)
The magic medicine
{headpiece ill. T. Heath Robinson}
in :
(1) The flying carpet : [an anthology of prose and verse for
children] /
designed by Cynthia Asquith. –
London : Partridge & Co., [1925?]. –
200 p.,
[4] leaves col. mounted plates :
ill. ;
26 cm.
— pages 170–181
(2) The flying carpet /
[designed by C. Asquith] –
New York : Charles Scribner’s Sons, [1925]. –
200 p. :
col. mounted front.,
ill.,
col. mounted pl. ;
26 cm. –
LC card no.: 25-021215
later reprinted, with revised text, in the collection Tales for a godchild
Bradsmith was right
(occasional series: Bradsmith)
in :
Georgian stories. –
1926. –
London : Chapman & Hall, 1926. –
viii, 291 p. ;
20 cm.
— pages 124–144
first published in The Strand magazine dated
1925-10;
later reprinted in the collection
How amusing!
(number [4])
The lemon sponge
{ill. uncredited [possibly by Denis Mackail
himself]}
in :
(1) The treasure ship : a book of prose and verse /
edited by Lady Cynthia Asquith. –
London : S. W. Partridge, [1926]. –
198 p.,
[4] leaves col. mounted plates,
[1] leaf two-col. plate :
ill. ;
26 cm.
— pages 101–112
(2) The treasure ship : a book of prose and verse /
edited by Lady Cynthia Asquith. –
New York : C. Scribner’s Sons, [1926]. –
198 p. ;
col. mounted front.,
ill.,
col. mounted pl. ;
26 cm. –
LC card no.: 26-019156
an adapted, simplified, version with new pictures appeared in the American
schools’ reading-book
Golden leaves (1932);
the British original was later reprinted, with slightly revised text and
further new pictures, in the collection
Tales for a godchild (1944);
the story was also presented in a dramatized form on
radio
in 1927 and 1929
The lost tragedy
in :
(1) The ghost book : sixteen new stories of the uncanny /
compiled by Lady Cynthia Asquith. –
London : Hutchinson, [1926]. –
vii, 318 p. ;
25 cm.
— pages 89–109
(2) The ghost book : stories / by Hugh Walpole,
[etc.], designed by Cynthia Asquith. –
New York : C. Scribner’s Sons, 1927. –
327 p. ;
20 cm. –
LC card no.: 27-005135
(3) The ghost book : sixteen stories of the uncanny /
compiled by Lady Cynthia Asquith. –
London : Pan, 1970. –
270 p. ;
18 cm. –
ISBN
0-330-02586-4
— pages 82–98
may have appeared first in this anthology (no periodical publication
details known);
later reprinted in the collection
How amusing!
(number [28])
Pym’s party
in :
Georgian stories. –
1927 / edited by Arthur Waugh. –
London : Chapman & Hall, 1927. –
viii, 307 p. ;
20 cm.
— pages 190–202
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated
1926-08;
later reprinted in the collection
How amusing!
(number [3]) and in the anthology
A century of love stories
What happened to Oz
{ill. Denis Mackail}
in :
(1) Sails of gold /
edited by Lady Cynthia Asquith. –
London : Jarrolds, [1927]. –
166 p.,
[4] leaves col. mounted plates,
[1] leaf two-col. plate :
ill. ;
26 cm.
— pages 32–37
(2) Sails of gold /
edited by Lady Cynthia Asquith. –
New York : C. Scribner’s Sons, 1927. –
166 p. ;
col. mounted front.,
ill.,
col. mounted pl. ;
26 cm. –
LC card no.: 27-021890
Among the presents
in :
(1) The funny bone : new humorous stories /
compiled by Lady Cynthia Asquith. –
London : Jarrolds, [1928]. –
287 p. ;
20 cm.
— pages 89–111
(2) The funny bone : new humorous stories /
designed by Cynthia Asquith. –
New York : C. Scribner’s Sons, [1928]. –
303 p. ;
20 cm. –
LC card no.: 28-027587
(3) New tales of humour /
by leading authors, edited by Lady Cynthia Asquith. –
London : Jarrolds, [1935]. –
256 p. ;
23 cm. –
first published under the title of “The funny bone”, September
1928 (t.p.v.)
— pages 81 [fly-title],
82–99 [text]
(4) New tales of humour /
by leading authors, edited by Lady Cynthia Asquith. –
Reissue. –
London : Jarrolds, [1941]. –
256 p. ;
23 cm. –
first published under the title of “The funny bone”
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated
1926-10;
later (1929) reprinted in the collection
How amusing!
(number [23]), with the title subtly changed to Among
the presents… and an additional phrase added to the last
sentence
The truth about the dilemma
{ill. Denis Mackail}
in :
(1) The treasure cave : a book of new prose and verse /
edited by Lady Cynthia Asquith. –
London : Jarrolds, [1928?]. –
144 p.,
[5] leaves col. mounted plates :
ill. ;
26 cm.
— pages 55–61
(2) The treasure cave : a book of new prose and verse /
edited by Lady Cynthia Asquith. –
New York : C. Scribner’s Sons, [1928]. –
144 p. ;
col. mounted front.,
ill.,
col. mounted pl. ;
26 cm. –
LC card no.: 29-000066
later reprinted, with a new ‘meta-fictional’ frame and revised text (much improved, I consider), in the collection Tales for a godchild
An artist in crime
(occasional series: Long Hobson)
in :
(1) The best detective stories of the year. –
1928 / edited by Father Ronald Knox and H. Harrington ; with an
introduction by Father Ronald Knox. –
London : Faber, 1929. –
486 p. ;
20 cm.
— pages 386–406
(2) The best English detective stories of the year. –
1928 / edited by Father Ronald Knox and H. Harrington ; with an
introduction by Father Ronald Knox. –
New York : Liveright, 1929. –
486? p. ;
20? cm.
— pages 386–406?
(3) Best detective stories of the year. –
First series / edited by Father Ronald Knox and H. Harrington ;
with an introduction by Father Ronald Knox. –
London : Faber, 1933. –
486 p. ;
20 cm. –
New ed. of 1928 volume,
publ. Faber, 1929
— pages 386–406
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated
1928-02;
later reprinted in the collection
How amusing!
(number [20])
as part of his introduction Knox gives cæsuræ (break points) for
most of the stories, where a reader can pause to work out the solution: for
this tale he writes “stop, if you will, at ‘…Just in his
spare time you know.’ But this is not a formal mystery story.”
the original ‘1928’ volume was the first of what was intended to
be an annual UK
publication, but it seems only 1928 and 1929 appeared
(a US series with the same title ran from 1945 to 1981);
the ‘new edition’ of this as ‘First series’, basically
a reprint, was published 1933-09 and itself reprinted 1934-02; there may have
been a similar US reprint under the matching
‘English’ title
Greenery Street [novel]
in :
The omnibus book : containing three full-length novels as well as
short stories, essays, sketches, and poems /
by Denis Mackail [et al.] ;
the omnibus conducted by Katharine I. Monro. –
London : Heinemann, 1929. –
viii, 306, 193, 96, 316,
[91] p. ;
ill. ;
19 cm. –
Partial contents:
Greenery Street : a novel / by Denis Mackail –
Legend : a novel / by Clemence Dane –
The two Helens : a story / by F. Tennyson Jesse –
A. V. Laider : a short story / by Max Beerbohm –
The Bellamy trial : a detective novel / by Frances Noyes Hart
reprinted from the publisher’s (cheap?) edition of this novel
Wanted on the voyage
in :
A modern galaxy : short stories /
by Mary Austin, Margaret Ayer Barnes [and others],
assembled by Dale Warren. –
Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 1930. –
424 p. ;
20 cm. –
LC card no.: 30-030229
details of periodical publication (if any) not known;
earlier reprinted in the collection
How amusing!
(number [5])
The lemon sponge
{ill. George M. Richards}
in :
Golden leaves / by Arthur I. Gates and Jean Y. Ayer ;
illustrated by George M. Richards. –
New York : Macmillan, 1932. –
viii, 472 p. :
ill. (two col.) ;
19 cm. –
(The work-play books : readers ; 6). –
Spine title: The work-play books : sixth reader.
— pages 173–193
the ‘Work-play books’ were a series of eight titles (1930–1935)
for use in American schools’ reading classes, many including reprinted
stories (some or all of the eight readers have separate teachers’
preparatory books);
this is an adapted version of the Mackail story which first appeared in
The treasure ship;
the adaptation (by the volume authors?) creates three numbered and titled
sections: ‘The new cook’, ‘The recipe’ and
‘The invasion and its results’,
simplifies some sentence structures, replaces obscure words
and makes references in the tale suitable for an American audience;
it appears in the ‘For fun’ section, and the text is followed
by suggested reading (other ‘amusing, fanciful stories’),
twenty true/false comprehension questions,
a class exercise to illustrate the story,
and fifteen triplets of rhyming words (in three jumbled columns) to be
matched up
The footling mystery of the Baverstock vase
(occasional series: Long Hobson)
in :
Best crime stories / [by various authors]. –
London : Faber, 1934. –
480 p. ;
20 cm.
— pages 313–334
first published in The Strand magazine dated 1930-06
All about artists
[c. 9400 words]
(occasional series: Long Hobson)
in :
The first class omnibus : of short novels / by Helen Ashton …
[and others] ; edited by Helen Gosse. –
London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1934. –
Stories written for, and first appearing in, the ‘News Chronicle’
(t.p.v.). –
575 p. ;
20 cm.
— pages 413 [fly-title], 415–454
first published in The news chronicle on a date yet to be determined
Starvation corner
(occasional series: Mrs Gilchrist)
and
Bradsmith was right
(occasional series: Bradsmith)
in :
A century of humour / edited by P. G. Wodehouse. –
London : Hutchinson, [1935?]. –
1024 p. ;
22 cm.
— pages 543 [fly-title, with a note on the author],
545–560 [text of Starvation corner],
561–577 [text of Bradsmith was right]
Starvation corner first published in Pearson’s magazine dated 1934-03 and reprinted from that source; Bradsmith was right first published in The Strand magazine dated 1925-10 and probably reprinted from How amusing! (chapter [4])
according to Wodehouse’s preface, this bumper volume retailed at 3/6
Pym’s party
in :
A century of love stories / edited by Gilbert Frankau. –
London : Hutchinson, [1935]. –
1022 p. ;
22 cm.
— pages 445 [fly-title, with a note on the author],
447–462
first published in Pearson’s magazine dated
1926-08;
earlier reprinted in the collection
How amusing!
(number [3]) and the anthology
Georgian stories, 1927
Say it with cheese
in :
The great book of humour /
edited by J. M. Parrish and John R. Crossland. –
London : Odhams, 1935. –
768 p. :
ill. ;
22 cm.
— pages 500–512
first published in (and reprinted from?) The Strand magazine dated 1933-08
The story of rather greedy Little Hugh
{ill. Paul Bloomfield}
in :
The Princess Elizabeth gift book : in aid of the Princess Elizabeth of
York Hospital for Children /
edited by Cynthia Asquith and Eileen Bigland. –
London : Hodder and Stoughton, [1935]. –
224 p.,
[7] leaves of plates,
[3] double-page plates tipped-in :
ill. ;
26 cm.
— pages 179–198,
including 2 illustrations
Gibson and the wager
(series: Henry Gibson)
{ill. Fougasse}
in :
The second century of humour / with illustrations by Fougasse,
and stories by Anthony Armstrong…
[et al.]. –
London : Hutchinson, [1936]. –
1019 p. :
ill. ;
22 cm.
— pages
669 [fly-title, with illustration, verso with a note on the author],
671–687 [text]
reprinted from According to Gibson (chapter 7)
It’s the thought that counts
in :
The Queen’s book of the Red Cross : with a message from Her Majesty
the Queen and contributions / by fifty British authors and
artists. –
London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1939. –
255 p.,
[13] leaves of plates (some col.) ;
26 cm. –
“In aid of the The Lord Mayor of London’s Fund for the Red Cross
and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem” :
title page
— pages 182–192
The truth about the dilemma
{ill. Cecil Orr}
in :
The wonder book for children / containing contributions by the
Astronomer Royal [and others]. –
London : Odhams, 1948. –
319 p.,
[1] leaf of col. plates :
ill. ;
26 cm.
— pages 187–200
reprinted, with minor revisions to suit the anthology context, and omission of the last two sentences of paragraph 4, from the collection Tales for a godchild; the fourteen illustrations are new (and well worth the effort!); Orr’s idea of a dilemma also appears in silhouette in the composite coloured endpaper illustration by ‘Burrell’
staging and broadcasts of
Denis Mackail’s work
note : this section is incomplete: there are only details of his musical comedy and five BBC radio items, two of which are referred to in Life with Topsy (pages 100 and 128–130): from the latter reference there seems to be at least one later radio broadcast by Mackail, but I have been unable to trace it in The radio times for the suggested period, 1941–1942, and it will be time-consuming to track it down
sources of information on Patricia are: (1) The London stage, 1920–1929 / by J. P. Wearing. – Vol. 1 : 1920–1924. – Metuchen, NJ ; London : Scarecrow Press, 1982, (2) The play pictorial, vol. 46, no. 275, 1925-02, and (3) a programme booklet from the Strand Theatre for week beginning 1925-03-16; the broadcasts’ details are taken from Radio times schedules and have not been confirmed as corresponding to what actually happened (most broadcasts were live at the time and thus subject to last-minute variation), although the details here do not contradict Mackail’s recollections
Patricia
a comedy with music, in three acts, by Denis Mackail, Arthur Stanley
and Austin Melford, music by Geoffrey Gwyther;
produced by Dion Titheradge,
dances and ensembles by Max Rivers,
orchestra directed by Stanley C. Holt,
modern and fancy costumes by Gordon Conway;
try-outs from 1924-09-29: Palace Theatre,
Manchester and …, Birmingham
opened 1924-10-31 at His Majesty’s Theatre,
London (licensees: George Grossmith and J. A. E. Malone;
licensees’ manager: Carl F. Leyel;
managed by Playcraft Ltd:
gen. man.: Ronald Adams;
stage man.: E. H. Brook;
a.s.m.: R. Cave Rogers;
press rep.: H. C. G. Stevens);
perfs
Mon–Sat at 20:15?,
matinées Wed & Sat 14:30?
(except mat. 1924-12-24,
eve. 1924-12-25,
add. mat. 1924-12-26);
last perf. at His Majesty’s 1925-02-28;
transferred 1925-03-02 to The Strand Theatre, London
(licensee: Arthur Bourchier;
manager: Carl F. Leyel;
managed by Playcraft Ltd:
gen. man.: Ronald Adams;
stage man.: David Miller;
a.s.m.: Frank Lawton;
press rep.: H. C. G. Stevens),
perfs
Mon-Sat at 20:15,
matinées Wed & Sat 14:30;
last perf. 1925-03-28;
total 160 performances
characters and cast, in order of appearance :
| Humphrey | Willie Warde | ||
| Crabbe | George Robins | later | Charles R. Stone |
| Augustus Wentworth | Arthur Chesney | later | Ralph Roberts |
| Mrs Wentworth | Stella St Audrie | later | Margaret Yarde |
| Elizabeth | Mary Leigh | later | Josephine Quest |
| Miss Smythe | Cicely Debenham | later | Ivy St Helier |
| Peter Rumble | Ambrose Manning | ||
| Ogden Scales | Billy Leonard | later | Thomas Paunceforp |
| Patricia | Dorothy Dickson | ||
| John Bradshaw | Philip Simmons | ||
| Henri Ducros | Max Rivers | ||
| and (possibly dropped by time of transfer) : | |||
| Blake | Frank Barclay | ||
| Primrose Hill | Josephine Quest | ||
| Alexandra Park | Fay Martin | ||
musical numbers (published by Francis, Day & Hunter) :
| Act 1 : The Wentworths’ home, near Guildford | |||
| 1 | opening chorus | ||
| 2 | song | Twenty-one | Elizabeth |
| 3 | song | Come to town | Miss Smythe |
| 4 | duet | Where there’s a will | Patricia & Ogden |
| 5 | crook trio | – | Ogden, Rumble & Miss Smythe |
| 6 | song | Just round the corner | Patricia |
| 7 | song | If I had only known | Patricia & John |
| Act 2 : John Bradshaw’s cottage, Golders Green | |||
| 8 | duet | Every second Monday | Patricia & John |
| 9 | song | Dancing man | Ogden |
| 10 | song | Love bells | Patricia & chorus |
| 11 | song | Millions of men * | Miss Smythe |
| Act 3 : Ogden Scales’ house, Grosvenor Square | |||
| 12 | ensemble | One magic night | chorus |
| 13 | duet | One, two, three little words | Ogden & Elizabeth |
| 14 | song | I sing tra, la-la-la | Miss Smythe |
| 15 | dance | – | Patricia & Henri |
| 16 | finale | – | the company |
| ( * lyrics by Greatrex Newman) | |||
according to The play pictorial, one act of this comedy was broadcast on radio, sometime after the London opening, as part of their promotional activities; however, I have been unable to find a billing in The radio times for the period 1924-10-31 to 1925-02-27 inclusive and am unclear what independent broadcasting there might have been at this early date
The lemon sponge
broadcast in ‘Children’s hour’, Thursday,
1927-04-28T17:15/P45M, on the
BBC stations
2LO, the London Regional programme
(361·4 m), and
5XX, the Daventry LW programme
(1600 m);
other regions’ MW
programmes probably carried their own children’s hour material
at this time
credited in the Radio times billing to Dennis MacKail [sic both names], but with no other details; this may be the same script as the one broadcast on 1929-02-05 (next entry, with more detail), based on the children’s short story of the same title (first published in The treasure ship and subsequently revised for the collection Tales for a godchild, 1944) but because all broadcasting was live, the performance will have been different
The lemon sponge
broadcast in ‘Children’s hour’, Tuesday
1929-02-05T17:15/P45M, on the
BBC stations
2LO, the London Regional programme
(838 kHz, 358 m), and
5XX, the Midland Regional programme
(192 kHz, 1562·5 m)
described in the Radio times billing as “a
‘moving’ story, written by Denis MacKail [sic],
and specially arranged as a dialogue story for broadcasting;
incidental music by the Gershom Parkington Quintet”;
presumably based on the children’s short story of the same title,
first published in
The treasure ship
and subsequently revised for the collection
Tales for a godchild
(1944); this may have been a repeat of the script broadcast on
1927-04-28 (entry
above),
but because all broadcasting was live, the performance will have been
different
At Mr. Besley’s : sketch
broadcast as item 5 (of six) in the radio show ‘Vaudeville’, Tuesday
1930-06-17T19:15/P75M, on the
BBC
London Regional programme
(842 kHz, 356.3 m) and the
Midland Regional programme
(626 kHz, 479.2 m);
characters and cast :
| Sir Richard Sparrow, Bart. | Claude Hulbert |
| Lady Sparrow | Irene Freeman |
presumably based on the short story of the same title, published in The Strand magazine 1923-11
Idle thoughts
broadcast Friday 1931-05-01T21:20/P15M
in the, nightly, radio ‘talks’ slot on the
BBC National Programme
(Daventry, 193 kHz, 1554.4 m;
London 1148 kHz, 261.3 m)
the circumstances of this live broadcast from a Savoy Hill studio are described by Mackail in Life with Topsy, pages 128–130, although he does not reveal the subject of his prepared (and BBC-approved) script; nor does the text appear in the Corporation’s literary magazine The listener
The Hunters and their telephone
broadcast as the second of two plays in the radio programme
‘Wednesday matinée’,
1947-04-16T16:00/P60M, on the
BBC
Home service (877 kHz, 342.1 m, and regional transmitters,
e.g. Midland region 1013 kHz, 296.2 m);
adapted by Denis Mackail from his own story;
produced by Wilfrid Grantham;
characters and cast :
| Expositor | Frederick Allen |
| Mr Hunter | Andrew Faulds |
| Sylvia, his wife | Belle Chrystall |
| Sylvia’s mother | Lilian Christine |
| other parts | members of the BBC Repertory Company |
as shown in the Radio times billing, this half-hour play was based on the short story of the same title, first published in The royal magazine dated 1927-06 and collected in Tales from Greenery Street; the first play in the programme was Summer holiday by Ursula Bloom
translations of
Denis Mackail’s work
note : this section is almost certainly incomplete, although Mackail’s work seems so ‘English’ that it is difficult to see it appealing to many other ‘cultures’; however, with the aid of the internet the items detailed below have been traced. Judging by the results of author searches on respective national library catalogues, none of the novels seems to have been translated into: Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish or Swedish.
Danish
Den forsvundne tragedie
[= The lost tragedy]
{unknown translator}
in :
Verdens bedste spøgelseshistorier [= World’s best ghost
stories] / redigeret af [= edited by] Ole Carit Andersen. –
København : Carit Andersens Forlag, 1987. –
172 p. ;
22 cm.. –
(Regnbueserien [= Rainbow series]). –
ISBN
87-424-4535-3
— pages ?–?
a translation of the short story of the same title, which seems to have been first published in The ghost book (1926)
Portugese
Um homem com sorte
[= A lucky man]
{unknown translator}
{ill. D. Saraiva}
in :
O século ilustrado [= The century illustrated]. –
No. 1 (? 1938?)- . –
Lisboa : Sociedade Nacional de Tipografia, 1938?-
— No. 267, Fevereiro 13 1943,
pages 23–?
a translation of The courtship of Beano Blennerhassett, without the introductory ‘frame’ paragraphs (serial publication of this original not yet known, but it was collected in Having fun); O século ilustrado was a weekly supplement to the newspaper O século: an image of the first page of this translation appears on the Ilustração Portuguesa website, together with the citation
Spanish
La tragedia perdida
[= The lost tragedy)
{unknown translator}
in :
Historias para no dormir [= Stories for not sleeping / Stories to keep you
awake]. –
Madrid : Julio García Peri, 1967– . –
Vol. 1, no. 1,
1967–c. 1974
— Volumen 4, número 3, 1970
(ed. Narciso Ibáñez Serrador?)
also in :
La marca de la bruja, y otros relatos de terror
[= The mark of the witch, and other tales of terror] / recopilados por
[= compiled by] Miguel Giménez Sales. –
[Barcelona] : Molino, [1974]. –
158 p. ;
18 cm. –
(Biblioteca Oro : Terror ; v. 36). –
ISBN
84-272-1236-4
— pages 61–77
also in :
Narraciones Terroríficas 26 (other bibliographic details not yet
available)
— pages 47–56
a translation of the short story of the same title, which seems to have been first published in The ghost book (1926)
on other pages :
introduction –
biography –
checklist of books –
checklist of short stories
