THE HAPPY RETURN

1937. [the first Hornblower tale] [London:] Michael Joseph, (1937). Original sage-green cloth lettered in silver, with dust jacket. First Edition of the first Horatio Hornblower tale to be published, set off the western coast of Nicaragua in mid-1808. There would ultimately be a dozen titles describing the exploits of Captain Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, published between 1937 and 1967; the action of THE HAPPY RETURN (which was later re-titled BEAT TO QUARTERS) places it sixth chronologically. This volume is in fine condition; the pictorial dust jacket, with the rear-panel ad for THE GENERAL and still bearing the 7/6 price on its front flap, is near-fine -- some short tears at the ends of folds (but nothing lacking), minor soil, red Joseph logo a little faded as usual).