the diary of a nobody by george and weedon grossmith

Evelyn Waugh wrote in 1930 that it was 'the funniest book in the world'. The work has been recognised as a comic masterpiece. Upon publication The Diary of a Nobody was 'at once recognized as one of the most amusing novels in the English language' (ODNB). 'The funniest book in the world' First edition in book form, first impression. Wolff 2818 (describing a later issue) Evelyn Waugh, 'One Way to Immortality', Daily Mail, 28 June 1930. Original brown cloth, spine lettered in gilt, front cover lettered and decorated in black and blue, decoration extending onto spine, publisher's advertisements to rear endpapers.ĭouble portrait frontispiece of the authors from photographs, numerous in-text illustrations from line drawings by Weedon Grossmith.Įxtremities slightly bumped and rubbed, very minor ink mark to front cover, slight browning to free endpapers, lacking tissue-guard to frontispiece, some stitching becoming loose a very good and bright copy. The first issue can be distinguished by the use of leaves in the gatherings being used as pastedowns.

With illustrations provided by his brother, Weedon, Grossmith published a revised and expanded version in book form in 1892. However, his most memorable work is The Diary of a Nobody which began as a series of contributions to Punch in 1888. Grossmith also wrote for the stage and achieved successes with a number of his comic songs. From 1877 to 1889 he created nine of the patter baritone roles in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and achieved considerable fame as an actor without 'any voice to speak of'. George Grossmith was a regular contributor to Punch whilst pursuing his career as a performer. First edition in book form, first impression.

The diary of a nobody by george and weedon grossmith