ROSS, Adrian (pseudonym of ROPES, Arthur R., 1859-1933). The Hole of the Pit. London: Edward Arnold, 1914. 8vo. 300, [8, ads] pp. Publisher's lettered cloth. FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING OF THIS SCARCE NOVEL, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR ON THE FRONT FLYLEAF. 

Known by his pseudonym "Adrian Ross," Arthur Reed Ropes was one of Britain's leading musical lyricists, contributing to more than 60 Victorian and Edwardian comedies. He adopted the "Ross" moniker over fears that this popular work would damage his academic career, having graduated from Cambridge University, where he taught English and Poetry for more than fifteen years. It was there that he met the master of ghost stories, M. R. James, to whom he dedicated this "minor classic of the genre." "Adrian Ross has written a novel called "The Hole of the Pit." It has no bearing, however, on the falling off in popularity of musical comedies," one reviewer wrote. The novel, set during the English Civil War, was his first foray into the supernatural, followed only by a short ghost story that Ropes published anonymously. He has inscribed this volume as "the author" to E. H. Biggs in 1915, housed in a custom clamshell box. 

Substantial staining and discoloration to boards, spine sunned. Minor foxing to front and rear matter. Very good.