Keys of the Kingdom, The

London: Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1942. A.J. Cronin's The Keys of the Kingdom, Warmly Inscribed to Ingle Barr at Lucerne

CRONIN, A.J. The Keys of the Kingdom. London: Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1942.

First edition, warmly inscribed by A.J. Cronin to the distinguished British barrister Ingle Barr (later King's Counsel), suggesting a warm personal and professional friendship.

Octavo (7 1/4 x 4 13/16 inches; 184 x 123 mm.). [1-6], 7-254, [1,], [1, blank] pp. Publisher's blue cloth over boards, spine lettered in black. A near fine copy in the original yellow dust jacket printed in pink and black. Spine of dust jacket minimally faded, otherwise near fine.

Inscribed on the front free-endpaper: "For Ingle Barr/with my best/wishes & all regard/A.J. Cronin./Lucerne/June 1957."

The Keys of the Kingdom is one of Cronin's most beloved novels, recounting the life of Father Francis Chisholm, a missionary priest in China. The novel is notable for its spiritual depth, moral humanity and broad popular appeal.
It was adapted into the acclaimed 1944 film starring Gregory Peck, further linking Cronin's work to the world of cinema.

Ingle Barr, K.C. (1908-1974), was a distinguished British barrister (King's Counsel) who practiced commercial and civil law in London. He was a noted book collector and was active during the mid-20th century in senior legal circles and known within professional and intellectual networks rather than as a public celebrity. While not a household name today, Barr belonged to the upper tier of the British legal profession, precisely the sort of figure with whom a writer like Cronin would naturally associate.