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Biographical and Bibliographical note on Dornford
Yates
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Dornford Yates
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Dornford Yates, real name
Cecil William Mercer, born 1885
at Walmer, Kent, resident Pau, France
1922-40, and Umtali, Rhodesia, from
1946 until his death in 1960.
The son of a solicitor, 'Dornford
Yates' attended Harrow School and
University College, Oxford. The
family moved from Kent to London
when he joined Harrow as a 'day
boarder' in 1899, his father selling
his solicitor's practice in Kent
and setting up office in Carey Street.
After Harrow he went up to Oxford
in 1904 where he was active in the
Oxford University Dramatic Society,
becoming Secretary in 1906 and President
in 1907.
He made many useful friends during
his time at the OUDS including Oscar
Asche, the producer of Kismet and
writer of Chu, Chin, Chow. His 'third'
at Oxford was not good enough to
gain traditional access to the bar
but his father used a little known
'back door' by getting Mercer a
post in 1908 as pupil to a prominent
solicitor, H. G. Muskett.
Muskett appeared on behalf of
the Police Commissioner and as his
pupil, Mercer saw a geat deal of
the seedier side of London life,
much of which experience is evident
in his books. During this period
in London there was a major section
of the criminal underworld of Jewish
extraction and the sometime charge
of 'anti-semitism' that is made
against him as a result of many
of his villains being Jewish is
tempered by the fact that he was
writing about what he knew.
Mercer was called to the bar
in 1909 and worked there for several
years writing short stories in his
spare time which were published
in the Windsor magazine. After the
outbreak of WW1 in 1914 he joined
the County of London Yeomanry and
was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant.
The regiment left for Egypt in 1915
and in November 1915, as part of
the 8th Mounted Brigade, he was
sent to The Balkans where the war
was in stalemate. Suffering severely
from rheumatism he was sent home
in 1917. Although still in uniform
the War Office did not post him
again and he was released from the
army in 1919.
The family home had been Elm
Tree Road, St. John's Wood since
1914 and close neighbours and friends
were Oscar Asche and his wife. A
visitor to their home was a member
of the cast of Chu, Chin, Chow,
an American girl called Bettine
(Athalia) Stokes Edwards, who was
to become Mercer's first wife in
1919.
Mercer decided not to return
to the bar but to concentrate on
writing. The couple stayed in the
family home at Elm Tree Road and
their son Richard was born in 1920.
After WW1 there were a number of
ex-officers in London who found
that the rise in the cost of living
precluded maintaining the style
of a gentleman to which they had
become accustomed and some looked
beyond the boundaries of England.
The Mercers moved to France where
it was possible to live far more
cheaply.
They chose Pau, a resort in the
Pyrenees where there was quite a
large British colony, but the exact
timing of their move is unknown.
Smithers in his biography of Dornford
Yates states "exactly how he
hit upon the place is not clear"
but Pau figures several times in
the memoirs of Edward VII's motor
engineer that he is presumed to
have ghost-written for the author
C. W. Stamper and so that may be
the answer - anywhere good enough
for King Edward VII was good enough
for him. They rented the Villa Maryland.
He was an exacting husband, Bettine
was a social woman and by 1929 is
was clear that the marriage was
failing. Bettine had been less than
discrete in her liaisons and Mercer
sued for divorce. Bettine did not
defend and in September 1933 the
divorce was made absolute. In February
1934 Mercer married Doreen Elizabeth
Lucie Bowie (Jill), the daughter
of a London solicitor, whom he had
met on a cruise in 1932.
Villa Maryland had many 'Bettine'
memories for Mercer and they decided
to build a new house. They chose
a spot 20 miles from Pau near Eaux
Bonnes on the route to the Spanish
frontier, the whole project being
related in 'The House that Berry
Built', the house 'Gracedieu' in
that book being in reality called
'Cockade'. With the invasion of
France in 1940 the Mercers arranged
caretakers for Cockade and travelling
through Spain and Portugal to South
Africa and arrived in Salisbury,
Rhodesia in 1941.
He was re-commissioned in Royal
Rhodesian Regiment and attained
the rank of Major. As the war drew
to a close their hoped for plan
to return to Cockade was achieved
but they were disappointed in both
the state of the house and the attitude
of their one-time servants. After
some months they obtained exit visas
and returned to Umtali, Rhodesia
where Mercer was to spend the rest
of his life. He supervised the building
of a replacement for Cockade, another
hillside venture, and they moved
into ''Sacredown' in 1948. The furniture
in France was shipped to Rhodesia
as were the Waterloo Bridge ballusters,
which had never actually reached
Cockade but had been stored in England
during WW2.
Mercer continued writing although
by this time more money was not
a problem and he died in March,
1960.
Mercer uses his knowledge of
the English bar in his books as
'Berry' is a local magistrate and
'Boy', the narrator of the 'Berry'
books, is a barrister. For those
unfamiliar with his work his novels
are set mainly in England and continental
Europe starting at a time when the
horse had not entirely been superceded
by the internal combustion engine
as the method of transport for a
gentleman.
His first book, The Brother of
Daphne, was a collection of short
stories originally published in
the Windsor magazine and was published
in 1914. 25 of his 34 books were
written before the end of WW2. Whether
or not based on fact, in his books
a gentleman would rarely consider
travelling in Europe without taking
a pistol although he had little
need for a passport. AA men (for
those unfamiliar - Automobile Association
road scouts) saluted, cars had running
boards and starting handles, the
expression 'making love' was meant
to indicate polite conversation
and a gentleman would defend his
lady's honour with his life (and
take the lives of those threatening
her harm without any qualms).
Within 'Dornford Yates' output
were two separate series of books
and well as several 'out of series'
titles although some of the characters
appear in both and in others outside
the two series. The 'Berry' books
tend to be light and humorous and
the 'Chandos' books are adventure
thrillers.
The main characters of the Berry
Books are the Pleydell family who
reside at 'White Ladies' in Hampshire,
comprising:
Berry Pleydell
Daphne
Pleydell, his wife (and cousin)
Boy
Pleydell (Daphne's brother and
narrator of the books)
Jonathan
(Jonah) Mansel (cousin to all
the above)
Jill Mansel (Jonah's
sister)
with occasional appearances by
Boy's American fiancée (and later
wife), Adèle. Comment has been made
about the parallel between the 'Boy'
character and 'Dornford Yates' himself,
both of whom were barristers and
married to and then separated from
an American but it was never admitted
that the character was autobiographical.
The Chandos Books include Richard
(William) Chandos, with usually
Jonathan Mansel and sometimes other
characters including George Hanbury.
Chandos and Hanbury, after their
first adventure together, bought
their country house of 'Maintenance',
in Wiltshire.
Many of the characters also appear
singly or with others in the non-series
novels either in cameo roles or
as main characters but without their
usual associates. The general atmosphere
created by 'Yates' is one where
every day was summer and England
was green and welcoming. His novels
are populated by 'ladies' and 'gentlemen'
who were worshipped by their servants
who, in turn, were regarded as part
of the family but a very definitely
hierarchical family. Nobody does
much work other than Berry who sometimes
disappears to chair the Magistrates'
Bench, Boy who is occasionally involved
in legal matters and Jonah whose
absences are inferred to be on unspecified
secret intelligence work. All are
of independent means and it is easy
to lose oneself in the idyll that
he creates.
The dustwrapper artwork of many
of the UK editions of 'Dornford
Yates' is rather attractive. The
Hodder and Stoughton editions are
difficult to attribute but the Ward
Lock editions are a little easier.
S. van Abbé, ARE, RBA* was responsible
for a number of the earlier titles
and J. F. Campbell for many later
ones while they both produced a
version of 'The Stolen March'. (*ARE-Associate,
Royal Society of Painter-Etchers
and Engravers, RBA-Royal Society
of British Artists).
The Dictionary of British Book
Illustrators (Alan Horne) has very
little to say about 'Abbey', (his
name not being provided), other
than the fact that he flourished
1919-1925 and was responsible for
some early Herbert Jenkins dustwrappers
of P. G. Wodehouse titles. We found
rather more detail (including his
name) in some Percy F. Westerman
titles (pub. Blackie) where he received
rather more in the way of acknowledgement.
Horne provides only little more
detail about John F. Campbell, giving
his name rather than, in the case
of van Abbé, an interpretation of
his signature and that he flourished
1909-1930. We have also spotted
his work on some Ward Lock 'Sanders'
paperback titles of Edgar Wallace.
The dustwrappers of the later
titles were by various artists including
Peter Rudland ('B-Berry and I Look
Back' and 'Wife Apparent') and 'Val
Biro' (Balint Stephen Biro - 'Lower
than Vermin') who was also responsible
for the second uniform edition dustwrapper.
There were two series of uniform dustwrappers, the first issued from about
1943 to 1949 and the second from about 1950. Both are an armorial type of
design, the first unattributed and the second by Val Biro and in our
descriptions are called the '1st uniform' and the 'biro' designs
respectively.
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The first unattributed Uniform issue
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The second Uniform issue designed by Val Biro
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List of the UK works of Dornford Yates in date order
Original works
Temporary Insanity
First issue date: 1910
Genre/Series: Short story
Publisher: Punch, London (magazine)
Synopsis:
Notes: Not published elsewhere, issue dated 25th May, 1910, authorship unattributed in the weekly issue, only attributed in the index of the bound volume for the half year.
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The issue for 25th May 1910 containing the short story |
The Brother of Daphne
First issue date: 1914
Genre/Series: Berry book, 15 short stories
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Boy, Daphne, Berry, Jonah and Jill, and fifteen beautiful young things that Boy comes across. (includes reference to Jim and Milly Hathaway '...among our greatest friends', never mentioned again in any Berry story?). Fifteen short stories set in Hampshire, Devon, Cotswolds, and Austria.
Notes: First published in Windsor Magazine 1911-15
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1942 Ward Lock reprint |
 Eastward Ho!
First issue date: 1919
Genre/Series: Musical play
Publisher: Never formally published
Notes: Written with Oscar Asche (of Chu, Chin, Chow)
Click
for article on Eastward
Ho! ephemera
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Valerie
First issue date: 1919
Genre/Series: Short story
Publisher: Windsor Magazine, Ward Lock, London
Synopsis:
Notes: Not published elsewhere, issue for October 1919
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The Courts of Idleness
First issue date: 1920
Genre/Series: Part Berry book - 6 Berry stories, 6 other short stories
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Of the Berry stories, the first two are set pre-WW1 but undated, the rest start about 1919 with Berry on the General Staff in Cairo awaiting demob, Daphne and Jill with him and being joined by Boy and Jonah who have already been de-mobilised. Adèle is introduced for the first time and joins the family as they return to England,
Notes: First published in Windsor Magazine 1914/5, 1919/20
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1942 Ward Lock reprint |
Berry and Co.
First issue date: 1920
Genre/Series: Berry book, 11 short stories
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Berry, Daphne, Boy Pleydell, Jonah and Jill Mansel, Sealyham 'Nobby', and a later appearance by Adèle, others include cousin Vandy Pleydell. Short stories, set at 'White Ladies', Hampshire in 1919. Includes civil action against roadhog, robbery of family silver and replacement, kidnap of Nobby and betrothal of Boy and Adele.
Notes: First published in Windsor Magazine 1920
US Publisher: Minton Balch, pre 1929 |
c1935 Ward Lock reprint |
Anthony Lyveden
First issue date: 1921
Genre/Series: Contemporary novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Major Anthony Lyveden DSO, Valerie French, Lady Harriet Touchstone, Andre Strongi'th'arm, Colonel Winchester. The fall and rise of Anthony Lyveden, DSO. Destitute he becomes a footman, is later recognised as the benificiary of an unproved will, but is employed at Gramyre, an estate with an evil influence on the mind. Is rescued and eventually recovers but .... Minor characters: Patch (AL's dog), Mr and Mrs Slumper, Joseph and Maria Bumble, George, Betty and Anne Alison, Albert Morgan, Peter Every, Mr. Justice Giles Molehill, John Forest, Sir Willoughby Sperm, Dr Heron, The Pleydell family,
Notes: First published in Windsor Magazine 1921, see sequel 'Valerie French' (1923),
US Title (If different): Part 1 of Summer Fruit
US Publisher: Minton Balch 1929 |
1939 Ward Lock reprint |
Jonah and Co.
First issue date: 1922
Genre/Series: Berry book, 12 short stories
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Berry, Daphne, Jonah, Jill, Sealyham 'Nobby', and Boy and Adèle newly married, introducing Piers, Duke of Padua. Short stories, set circa 1921, the family travels in 'Ping' and 'Pong' to winter at Pau, in South-west France. Jill meets her future husband, Piers, and is kidnapped,
Notes: First published in Windsor Magazine 1921/2 - the first 6 impressions only, Sept. 1922-Feb. 1926 inclusive (320pp), contain a Prologue and Epilogue which were dropped from the later impressions (310pp)
US Publisher: Minton Balch, pre 1928 |
1943 Ward Lock reprint |
Valerie French
First issue date: 1923
Genre/Series: Contemporary novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Major Anthony Lyveden DSO, Valerie French, Sir Andrew Plague, Lady Harriet Touchstone, Andre Strongi'th'arm, Cardinal John Forest. Sequel to Anthony Lyveden in which Anthony has lost his memory and confuses his lovers. Minor characters: Hamlet (Patch, Anthony Lyveden's dog), Pvt Albert Rogers, Pvt. Hoskin, Col. Richard Winchester.
Notes: First published in Windsor Magazine 1922/3, sequel to 'Anthony Lyveden' (1921),
US Title (If different): Part 2 of Summer Fruit
US Publisher: Minton Balch 1929 |
1942 Ward Lock reprint |
And Five were Foolish
First issue date: 1924
Genre/Series: 10 short stories
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Ten short stories with girl's names
Notes: First published in Windsor magazine 1922-4, first issue dated 1924 on title. Dates changed in text 1928 or prior, dedication changed 1938 or prior
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1938 Ward Lock reprint |
As Other Men Are
First issue date: 1925
Genre/Series: 10 short stories
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Ten short stories with men's names,
Notes: First published in Windsor Magazine 1925, first issue dated 1925 on title. The dates '1923' (p13) and '1925' (p144) are changed in second and subsequent impressions to 1925 and 1930 respectively, dedication changes by 1938 or prior
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1938 Ward Lock reprint |
The Stolen March
First issue date: 1926
Genre/Series: Fantasy novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Simon, Patricia neé Bohun, Eulalie, Pomfret Tudor, the mules, the king, Sunset, a novel set in the mythical country of Etchechuria between France and Spain,
Notes:
US Publisher: Minton Balch, 1933 |
1943 Ward Lock reprint |
Blind Corner
First issue date: 1927
Genre/Series: 1st Chandos adventure novel
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Synopsis: Characters: Richard Chandos (narrator), George Hanbury, Jonathan Mansel, with their respective servants Bell, Rowley and Carson, and 'Tester' the Sealyham, 'Rose' Noble, Punter, Bunch, Ellis, Job, 'the landlord' and 'the tanner and his friend'. Mainly set in Carinthia, Austria at the castle of Wagensburg, the search for the Treasure of Wagensburg hidden in the great well. Chandos is aged 22, witnesses a murder and acquires a dog and collar containing details of the treasure. Meets Jonathan Mansel (who has a flat in Cleveland Row, London, and a servant Carson) with his friend George Hanbury. Recommends Bell and Rowley as servants to Chandos and Hanbury before their venture to Wagensburg,
Notes: Later republished by Ward Lock, see sequel 'Perishable Goods' (1928),
US Publisher: Minton Balch, 1927 |
1940 Hodder and Stoughton reprint |
Court Card
First issue date: 1927
Genre/Series: Short story
Publisher: Windsor Magazine, Ward Lock, London
Synopsis:
Notes: Not published elsewhere
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Perishable Goods
First issue date: 1928
Genre/Series: 2nd Chandos adventure novel
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Synopsis: Heroes: Richard Chandos (narrator), George Hanbury, Jonathan Mansel, with their respective servants, and 'Tester' the Sealyham, 'Rose' Noble, Jute (Hannibal Rouse), Casemate, Bunch and Punter. The kidnap of Adéle, by Rose Noble, whilst on holiday with Berry, Daphne and Boy at Poganec in Carinthia, Austria, 1927, held at the Castle of Gath near Lass while a ransom of half million is demanded from Mansel, and his near mortal wounding. Richard Chandos and George Hanbury now share a house called Maintenance in Wiltshire and hunt four days a week. Rowley is a non-driver.
Notes: Later republished by Ward Lock, sequel to Blind Corner (1927),
US Publisher: Minton Balch, 1928 |
1942 Hodder and Stoughton reprint |
Maiden Stakes
First issue date: 1928
Genre/Series: 10 short stories (includes 1 Berry)
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Different characters in each story. Ten short stories including one Berry story (Letters Patent), in which Berry, Daphne, Jonah, Boy and Adéle (still married) figure. Some suggestion that Adele may have had an attachment to Jonah (see Chandos novel Perishable Goods)
Notes: First published Windsor Magazine 1927-9
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1943 Ward Lock reprint |
Blood Royal
First issue date: 1929
Genre/Series: 3rd Chandos adventure novel
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Synopsis: Characters: Richard Chandos (first person story), George Hanbury, Bell and Rowley, Grand Duches Leonie, Lord President Sully, Grimm, Duke Johnann, Major Grieg, Martin Eigge, Duke Paul, General Kneller, Lord in Waiting Brooch. Set mainly in the principality of Reichtenburg in Austria, the account of the aiding of Duke Paul to succeed on the death of the Prince despite the work of Grieg and Johann to prevent it in Johann's favour. Ends with Leonie joining Chandos at Maintenance. Hanbury's servant Rowley is now a driver. Chandos, aged 25, still lives with Hanbury at Maintenence but Hanbury moves out at end of story.
Notes: Later republished by Ward Lock, see sequel 'Fire Below' (1930),
US Publisher: Minton Balch, 1931 |
1941 Hodder and Stoughton reprint |
No separate UK issue
First issue date:
Genre/Series: Contemporary novel
Publisher:
Synopsis: The titles Anthony Lyveden and Valerie French issued as one novel
Notes: Not issued in UK as in an omnibus edition.
US Title (If different): Summer Fruit
US Publisher: Minton Balch, New York, 1929 |
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Fire Below
First issue date: 1930
Genre/Series: 4th Chandos adventure novel
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Synopsis: Characters: Richard Chandos (narrator), George Hanbury, Bell and Rowley, Marya Dresden (servant Carol), Grand Duches Leonie, Lord President Sully, Ramon, Lelia, Prince Paul, Major Grieg, Reubens (circus-master), unnamed Doctor and district coroner. Chandos and Leonie, now married, visit Austria near the border with Reichtenburg, from where Marya Dresden is due to join them. Prince Paul commissions Grieg to entice Leonie into Reichtenburg, uses Marya Dresden to bring Chandos and Hanbury (Marya's lover) into the country. Secret entry via smugglers route behind waterfall. Chandos and Hanbury join circus for part of route, account of the separate rescues of Marya and Leonie from Grieg/Prince Paul, and the death of Grieg. At end Hanbury and Marya Dresden intend marriage.
Notes: Later republished by Ward Lock, sequel to Blood Royal (1929),
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1941 Hodder and Stoughton reprint |
Adele and Co.
First issue date: 1931
Genre/Series: Berry adventure novel
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Synopsis: Characters: Berry, Daphne, Jill now married to Padua (Piers), Boy and Adéle (still married), Carson, Casca de Polk, the Plazas, Woking, Auntie Emma. Opens with family awakening from a drugged sleep to find all their jewellery stolen - the chase after the thieves (including a visit to The Wet Flag at Rouen) into the Pyrenees near Eaux Chaudes to the 'Halfway House',
Notes: Later republished by Ward Lock
US Publisher: Minton Balch, 1931 |
1941 Hodder and Stoughton reprint |
Safe Custody
First issue date: 1932
Genre/Series: Out of series adventure novel
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Synopsis: Characters: John Ferrers (narrator), his cousin Hubert Constable, Stiven (Hubert's manservant), Andrew Palin (refugee from employment as a tutor at Hadyn), Lady Oliva Haydn, Harris, Punter, Bugle, Bunch, Count of Haydn, Father Herman (the Count's younger brother 'Holy'), Olivia Haydn. Inheriting the Castle of Hohenems in Carinthia, Austria, after the death of Nicholas Ferrers in a road accident, our heroes attempt to gain possession of the fortune secreted within, a collection of carved jewels of the Borgias, walled up in the dungeons, being opposed by the neighbouring those of Haydn and by Harris and his gang,
Notes: Later republished by Ward Lock, sequel is Cost Price (1949)
US Publisher: Minton Balch, 1932 |
1942 Hodder and Stoughton reprint |
Storm Music
First issue date: 1934
Genre/Series: Out of series adventure novel
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Synopsis: Characters: John Spencer (narrator), his guardian the artist Geoffrey Bohun and Barley, his manservant, Lady Helena Yorick, Florin, Pharoah (Capt. Faning), Bugle, Rush, Dewdrop, Helena's brother Valentine, Count of Yorick. Set in Austria, Spencer witnesses the burial of a liveried servant, murdered after an attempt to sieze some gold in transit. Spencer identifies Lady Helena as the owner of the livery, warns her of murder, becomes her lover. Discovers the target is gold bullion in the cellar of her home, the castle at Yorick. Action is then the various attempts to steal the hidden bullion, the final elimination of the gang, and the reconciliation of the by then estranged lovers.
Notes: Later republished by Ward Lock, a scarce illustrated dustjacket by John F. Campbell was issued with some of the February 1944 reprint,
US Publisher: Minton Balch, 1934, also pub. by A. L. Burt |
1942 Hodder and Stoughton reprint |
She Fell Among Thieves
First issue date: 1935
Genre/Series: 5th Chandos adventure novel
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Synopsis: Characters: Richard Chandos (narrator), Jonathan Mansel, Vanity Fair, Gaston (Count of Rachel), Jean, Lafone, Luis, Marc, Below, Acorn, Virginia Brooch, Jenny, Great Dane 'Goliath'. At the Chateau Jezreel in the south of France and Anise in the Dordogne. Defending the life and birthright of Jenny.
Notes: Later republished by Ward Lock
US Publisher: Minton Balch, 1935 |
1942 Hodder and Stoughton reprint |
And Berry Came Too
First issue date: 1936
Genre/Series: Berry book, 8 short stories
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Berry, Daphne, Jill, Jonah and Boy with Perdita Boyte (American visitor) joining the family after the first 2 stories, Short stories, mostly set at White Ladies, Hampshire,
Notes: First published Windsor Magazine 1935
US Publisher: Putnams, 1936 |
1936 Ward Lock 2nd imp. The later reprints of the same upper panel design had a different shield image (a wigged judge) at the spine. |
She Painted Her Face
First issue date: 1937
Genre/Series: Out of series adventure novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Richard Exon (narrator), Winter (his manservant), John Herrick, Lady Elizabeth Virgil (Countess of Brief), Harriet - Duchess of Whelp, 'Matthew Gering' (Rudolf Elbert Virgil), Ferdinand Virgil - Count of Brief, Percy Virgil, Elgar, Elsa. Brief, about 120 miles east of Innsbruck (Austria), Raven - a farm nearby and Tracery, the seat of the Duchess of Whelp, 35 miles from Innsbruck. Defending the life and birthright of Lady Elizabeth Virgil.
Notes: Published in serial form in Woman's Home Campanion USA starting December 1936 as 'Counterfeit Coin',
US Publisher: Putnams, 1937 |
1937 Ward Lock 2nd issue dustwrapper. The first issue was identical without the 'First cheap edition' and volume number at the spine. |
The Real Thing
First issue date: 1937
Genre/Series: Short story
Publisher: Windsor Magazine, Ward Lock, London
Synopsis:
Notes: First publication in Windsor magazine (month unknown). Published in paperback by Oxford University Press 1998 in a collection of short stories 'Twelve Tales of Murder', edited by Jack Adrian.
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Oxford University Press issue 1998 |
This Publican
First issue date: 1938
Genre/Series: Contemporary novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Lord Elvin, David Bohun (his great nephew), John Galbraith Forsyth - (Elvin and David Bohun's solicitor), Rowena Bohun (aka Elma Baumer and Rowena Howard), Chater - a private detective, Helen Adair - a divorcee, Lady Persimmon (her mother), Punch and Belinda Leighton, George Bagot (Leighton's solicitor). An evil woman, employing murder to arrange a better idenitity, uses her looks and plausability to win the hearts and minds of all those she meets, and marries the unfortunately naive David Bohun as a stepping stone to better things.
Notes:
US Title (If different): The Devil in Satin
US Publisher: Doubleday Doran, 1938 |
1944 Ward Lock reprint |
Gale Warning
First issue date: 1939
Genre/Series: Out of series adventure novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: John Bagot (narrator), Richard Chandos, Jonathan Mansel, Lady Audrey Nuneham, Barabbas, Rev. Bellamy Plato ('Kingdom of Heaven'), Plato's chauffeur (unnamed), Bogy (in background). Barabbas, fence and controller of thieves, is foiled in a venture by George St. Omer. St. Omer, friend of our heroes is killed on Barabbas' orders. Our heroes then set out to even the score, at the Chateau of Midian.
Notes:
US Publisher: Putnams, 1940 |
1941 Ward Lock reprint |
Shoal Water
First issue date: 1940
Genre/Series: Out of series adventure novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Jeremy Solon (narrator), George Laking, Jonathan Mansel, Katherine Scrope (Formosa), Conrad, Joseph, 'The Shepherd', Judas, Satan, Mangey, Digs, Larry, and Mabel. Formosa, carrier of stolen jewels for The Shepherd, wants to retire. Solon becomes Katherine's lover, can identify The Shepherd thus becoming a target for elimination which he avoids but at the cost of the kidnapping of Katherine. Solon and Laking join forces with Mansel to bring The Shepherd down and release the kidnapped Katherine. Main action across France, including 'The Wet Flag ', the waterfront and Seine at Rouen and the castle at Cardinal 'in the Heart of France', the home of her blind artist father.
Notes: Serialised in USA monthly magazine 'The Blue Book' 1940 as 'When the Devil Drives',
US Publisher: Putnams, 1941 |
1942 Ward Lock 2nd imp. |
Period Stuff
First issue date: 1942
Genre/Series: 13 short stories
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis:
Notes: First published Windsor Magazine 1927-39
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1945 Ward Lock reprint |
An Eye for a Tooth
First issue date: 1943
Genre/Series: 6th Chandos adventure novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Richard Chandos (narrator), George Hanbury, Jonathan Mansel (Bell, Rowley and Carson), Caroline, Duchess of Varvic (nee Herring), Cain and Biretta, Duke Saul of Varvic, James Belper Orion Forecast, Boney, Gulf, China (turncoat), Auger. Takes place shortly after the events of Blind Corner, set between Villach and Salzburg in Austria, revenge for the taking of the life of Caroline's lover, Maj. John Bowshot. Schloss Varvic, a hunting lodge (charnel house with tilting floor), Cain and Biretta's firm of solicitors, Worsted and Co., and the village of Beehive.
Notes:
US Publisher: Putnams, 1944 |
1944 Ward Lock reprint |
The House that Berry Built
First issue date: 1945
Genre/Series: Berry novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Berry, Daphne, Boy Pleydell, Jonah and Jill Mansel, Sir Steuart Rowley (Kings Bench Judge), Fergus Colin Shapely, Albert Edward Tass, Chief Inspector Falcon. Opens in 1937 when, unable to keep up the maintenance of their Hampshire home 'White Ladies' it is surrendered to the state for the use of the Foreign Secretary. Thence to the Pyrenees where they decide to build a new home Gracedieu at Evergreen, between Besse and Lally. In a parallel story their friend Sir Steuart Rowley is murdered and they help, with Falcon, to bring the perpetrator to justice. Ends in June 1940 with Gracedieu abandoned after the German invasion, Boy in England recovering from Dunkirk with a knee wound, Berry, Daphne and Jill in Portugal and Jonah on unspecified but obviously secret intelligence work,
Notes: A brief account of the return to Gracedieu appears in 'As Berry and I were Saying',
US Publisher: Putnams, 1945 |
1945 Ward Lock 1st edn. |
Red in the Morning
First issue date: 1946
Genre/Series: 7th Chandos adventure novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Richard Chandos (narrator), Jonathan Mansel, John Bagot, Mona Lelong (The Stoat), Daniel Gedge (Auntie Emma), Brevet, Lousy, Punter, Baron Horace de Parol, Toby Rage, Jenny (Chandos' wife), Jill, Police Inspectors Goalby and Falcon. Chandos and Mansel interfere with a robbery at Biarritz (involving friend, Toby Rage, where the butler is shot dead). Gedge, the leader of the robbers, resolves to kill them. An action across France, mainly at Baron Horace's Chateau d'Arx and Petit Arx (connected by a natural cavern), but also at Rouen, Dieppe and Vendôme.
Notes:
US Title (If different): Were Death Denied
US Publisher: Putnams, 1948 |
1946 Ward Lock 1st edn. |
The Berry Scene
First issue date: 1947
Genre/Series: Berry book, 10 short stories
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis:
Notes: A series of short stories that fills in some of the gaps in the Pleydell family saga, from their first car about 1907 until post WW2,
US Publisher: Putnams, 1947 |
1947 Ward Lock 1st edn. |
Cost Price
First issue date: 1949
Genre/Series: 8th and final Chandos adventure novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Characters: Richard Chandos (narrator), Jonathan Mansel, (with Bell and Carson), Andrew Palin, John Ferrers, Jasper, Colette, Edward Osric Friar, Sloper, Punter, Orris, Boler, Diana Revoke. Sequel to Safe Custody. Recovery of the 127 carved jewels from walled up chamber in Ferrers' castle Hohenems (Austria) avoiding theft by Friar and interception by Boler (for Germany), using travelling group led by Jasper and a smugglers way involving crossing a torrent by rope,
Notes: Sequel to Safe Custody (1932),
US Title (If different): The Laughing Bacchante
US Publisher: Putnams, 1949 |
1949 Ward Lock 1st edn. |
Lower than Vermin
First issue date: 1950
Genre/Series: Contemporary novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: A novel set between 1892 and 1948 about an upper class brother and sister, money and romance and a time when the lower classes either knew their place or were put in it,
Notes: Written at the time of the immediate post-war years of a Labour government in UK, (anathema to the author),
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1950 Ward Lock 1st edn. |
As Berry and I were Saying
First issue date: 1952
Genre/Series: Berry book
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis:
Notes: a Dornford Yates 'memoir', in the form of conversation between members of the Pleydell family, Berry recalling childhood and Oxford days and 'Boy' his time at the bar (incl. the trial of Crippen), with odd comments by Daphne and Jill; includes comment on the characters of many of Yates books and an account (pp142-155) of the return to and final departure from Gracedieu, 'The House that Berry Built' (real name 'Cockade')
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1952 Ward Lock 1st edn. |
Ne'er-Do-Well
First issue date: 1954
Genre/Series: Crime novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis: Richard Chandos and his wife Jenny, with Jonathan Mansel as a guest staying with them, are the audience for an account related by Superintendent Falcon whilst he is investigating the murder of Lord St. Amont at the village of Ne'er-do-Well.
Notes: The author's only crime investigation novel. Not generally classified as a 'Chandos' title but Richard Chandos is the narrator. The dustwrapper of the first edition exists in three different states.
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1954 Ward Lock 1st edn. |
Wife Apparent
First issue date: 1956
Genre/Series: Contemporary novel
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis:
Notes: Retitled after printing when it was found that the original title 'Lady in Waiting', by another author, was about to appear. The half title and title pages were removed and a new half title and title tipped in onto the stubs. The dustwrapper was overprinted and an additional enhancement to look out for is a pale blue additional overwrapper label explaining the changes,
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1956 Ward Lock 1st edn. |
B-Berry and I Look Back
First issue date: 1958
Genre/Series: Berry book
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis:
Notes: continuing the Dornford Yates 'memoir' started in As Berry and I were Saying, in the form of conversation between members of the Pleydell family, Berry recalling his childhood in London, his years at Harrow and 'Boy' his time at the bar with odd comments by Daphne, Jill, and Jonah,
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1958 Ward Lock 1st edn. |
Associated works
Clubland Heroes by Richard Usborne
First issue date: 1953
Genre/Series:
Publisher: Constable, London
Synopsis:
Notes: A nostalgic study of some recurrent characters in the romantic fiction of Dornford Yates, John Buchan and Sapper: revised edition published Barrie and Jenkins, 1974: paperback edn. published Hutchinson 1983.
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Barrie and Jenkins issue, 1974 |
Adventure in Publishing by Edward Liveing
First issue date: 1954
Genre/Series:
Publisher: Ward Lock, London
Synopsis:
Notes: Subtitled The House of Ward Lock 1854-1954, this is an illustrated history and celebration of Ward Lock on their centenary, with a preface by their most successful novelist, Dornford Yates
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1st (only known) edition |
What I Know by C. W. Stamper
First issue date: 1913
Genre/Series: Memoirs
Publisher: Mills and Boon, London
Synopsis:
Notes: Memoirs of a chauffeur/motor engineer to King Edward VII 1905-10, with acknowledgement to Dornford Yates in the foreword 'but for whose tireless assistance these memories might never have been published', presumed ghost written by DY. Contains several references to Pau.
US Title (If different): King Edward as I Knew Him
US Publisher: Dodd, Mead and Co., New York, 1913 |
Mills and Boon, 1913 |
Dornford Yates - A Biography, by A. J. Smithers
First issue date: 1982
Genre/Series:
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Synopsis:
Notes: An illustrated biography of Dornford Yates. A 2nd edition was published as trade paperback and marked Centenary Edition in 1985 with some corrections and no illustrations.
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1st and only hardback edition |
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end of list:
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