STERN, James. “The Bank.” [Blandford: W. H. Smith & Son, Ltd., 1928]. 8°. Wood-engraved headpieces (some rust staining at staples). Original textured wrappers. NUMBER 18 OF 50 COPIES, PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed on the title, “For Anthony Hobson, affectionately, Jimmy Stern, my first effort, 1928, Whitsbury, 6.iv.1975.” Loosely inserted is a 2-page autograph letter from the author to Anthony Hobson, dated 24.iv.75, about his unhappy career as a banker. With 7 other books by the same author, or relating to him: The Heartless Land (London, 1932, original cloth, dust-jacket), James Stern. Some letters for his seventieth birthday ([No place], privately printed, [?ONE OF 150 COPIES], with surnames of most correspondents supplied in manuscript by James Stern), The Man Who Was Loved ([Hatfield, The Stellar Press, 1984, ONE OF 50 COPIES), Something Wrong (1938), The Hidden Damage (1947), The Man Who was Loved (New York: 1951) and The Stories of James Stern, ALL INSCRIBED by James Stern to Anthony Hobson.