The Humour Of Alan d'Egville

I feel that Internet shopping should never be allowed to replace the experience of visiting a bookstore. Blackwell's Online Bookshop is convenient but cannot compete with the otherworldly experience of descending into the Norrington Room. The elegant entrance to the shop in Broad Street hides more secrets than the Leaky Cauldron. 10,000 Square feet were excavated beneath Trinity College Gardens where three miles of shelving form the nexus to many magical worlds.

Buying books on the Internet evokes a similar sense of guilt to microwaving a supermarket ready meal. But as there are - maybe surprisingly - some good ready curries to be had there are independent used book dealers who sell the work of authors which would be rarely found in a local store. This allows both the work and the bookseller to exist in a world where high sales volumes and small percentages are survival.

eBay not only provide a market place for those wishing to auction their unwanted gifts and clutter but is a window for traders selling at a fixed price. It was here that I found the Batting Bunny... In anticipation of your question, no, I don't know. Maybe the owner lives in a world of cricketing rabbits.

The reason why this dealer was listed by Google is because the Bunny is selling a first edition of Money for Jam or How to be a Magnate by Alan D'Egville - published by Cassell in 1947. This posting isn't intended as an advertisement for either eBay or the Bunny and there are other dealers who presently stock this title.

I will devote a future posting to the life of Alan Hervey d'Egville (1891-1951). Amongst his works are other humourous books on sporting subjects and contemporary issues, a screenplay and his cartoons.

Photo by the Batting Bunny

In Money for Jam, Alan describes himself as the author of, among other titles,

"Business English as she is spake."
"Commercial Correspondence as she is wrote
"Book-keeping for pleasure and profit - and loss."

There are some other imaginary titles subtly aimed at the private secretary which no longer seem appropriate but would certainly appeal in 1947. And on that note, "Miss Jones, come in and take down everything I say..."