AUGUSTUS DOES HIS BIT: an Unofficial Dramatic Tract on War Saving and Cognate Topics. By the Author of The Inca of Perusalem de Shaw, George Bernard - 1916

(Edinburgh): (H. & H. Clark), 1916. First edition, "Rough Proof-- Unpublished" (Rehearsal Copy, with front cover and title page stating: "By the Author of The Inca of Perusalem"). 8vo. Printed wrappers. A fine, bright copy of a scarce, fragile publication, in custom chemise and custom red morocco slipcase box (gilt stamped on spine), with chemise. First edition, "Rough Proof-- Unpublished" (Rehearsal Copy, with front cover and title page stating: "By the Author of The Inca of Perusalem"). 8vo. "AUGUSTUS DOES HIS BIT"-- "ROUGH PROOF-UNPUBLISHED" A one-act play satirizing the war effort in World War I; Shaw stated: "The shewing up of Augustus scandalized one or two innocent and patriotic critics, who regarded the prowess of the British Army as inextricably bound up with Highcastle prestige, but our Government Departments knew better. Their problem was how to win the war with Augustus on their backs, well meaning, brave, patriotic, but obstructively fussy, self important and imbecile." [Broad, C. Lewisg & Broad, Violet M., Dictionary to the Plays and Novels of Bernard Shaw]. Laurence AA11b