Beckett, Samuel.

8vo (188 x 123mm.), first edition of the author's first regularly published book, one of 1,500 copies, presentation copy inscribed by the author on the title page ("to Molly | with fond love | 40 years later! | from Sam"), original ochre cloth, spine lettered in blue, top edge stained ochre, original dust-jacket (price 7s.6d.), preserved in green cloth chemise and quarter green morocco folding box, minor offsetting to a few early and late leaves, tear to H7 (into text but with no loss), jacket stained and slightly chipped

The author's first cousin Molly Roe, authorial inscription to her on title page, and her ownership signature on front endpaper; sale at Sotheby's, 7 December 2006, lot 100

Federman & Fletcher 16 ("The volume published by Chatto and Windus sold only 500 copies out of 1,500 printed, and is now rare").

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The author's first published book of fiction, containing ten satirical stories about a young Dublin intellectual called Belacqua Shuah.

The recipient of this presentation copy, Molly (or Mollie) Roe, was Beckett's first cousin, to whom the author was very close in childhood, and with whom he remained in contact for the rest of his life. Following the death of their mother Rubina in 1913 Sheila and Molly Roe were sent to the boarding school in Dublin known locally as "Miss Wade's", later alluded to in Beckett's play Come and Go (1965). With their father away in Africa the two cousins spent  many school holidays at the Beckett house at Cooldrinagh. The cousins and their mother seem to have been the inspiration, at least in part, for the three characters in Come and Go.

Beckett did not permit republication of the stories in More Pricks than Kicks until 1966, when Calder & Boyers were authorised to issue a limited "Special edition Hors Commerce for Scholars". The next trade edition did not appear until 1970.