The Mottled Lizard.

HUXLEY, Elspeth.

Item Number: 95084

London: Chatto & Windus, 1962.

First edition, early printing of one of Huxley’s best known works. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Joe Ferrier with gratitude for your interest in my childhood memories – now are half a century old. Elspeth Huxley.” Laid in are three typed letters signed by Huxley to Joe Ferrier, one of which reads in part, “I much appreciate your continuing interest in my writings – as much as I regret the appalling untidiness of this typing. My non-proficiency increases with the years and the typewriter is now nearly as old as I am; a few more years and, in this age of word-processors etc.; it may become a valuable antique. With best wishes, yours sincerely, Elspeth Huxley.” The recipient, Joe Ferrier was a lifelong pen pal and friend of Huxley’s. They often exchanged letters, books, and article clippings between England and the United States. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Rosemary Grimble.

Nellie and Major Josceline Grant arrived in Thika, in what was then British East Africa in 1912 where they became colonial settlers and established a coffee plantation. Their daughter, Elspeth had quite an unconventional childhood which she later wrote about in her best known work The Flame Trees of Thika (1959) which examined how unprepared for rustic life the early British settlers really were. The Mottled Lizard continues the story when the family returns to Kenya after the first world war. Huxley recreates in vivid detail their home, native servants, hunting expeditions and travels throughout the country.