Books

First editions, first impressions, inscribed by the author to his wife's cousin in the first work, "Michael Braybrooke - from G.K.C., Sept. 1911". As a boy, Dr. Michael Knollys Braybrooke (1899-1991) was "semi-adopted" by the Chestertons and from 1907 to 1917 spent his holidays at their Beaconsfield home. Braybrooke turned 12 years of age in the same month as the inscription. Chesterton funded Braybrooke's education through to medical school and wrote for him the poem "Ballade of Three Michaels". This rare complete set of the Father Brown novels has the final three instalments in the scarce dust jackets. All except Wisdom are from the collection of the Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts (1941-2021), with his posthumous bookplate. Denis J. Conlon, ed., The Collected Works of G. K. Chesterton, Part 2, 1986, p. xxix. Five works, octavo. Original cloth with lettering on spines and front covers. Final three works with dust jackets. Illustrated with plates. Bookseller's ticket in Secret and Scandal. Light discolouration to a couple of bindings, small wear to extremities of Wisdom, split to inner hinges of Innocence, sporadic light foxing; the three retained jackets unclipped, spines sunned, bright overall, occasional small tear to Incredulity and Secret jackets, Scandal jacket with chips to edges and extensive tape repair on verso: a very good set, in like jackets.

The Innocence of Father Brown is a collection of short stories by G.K. Chesterton, featuring his famous detective character, Father Brown. The book displays clever mysteries and delightful storytelling, making it a classic in the mystery genre.