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The Money Moon

Jeffrey Farnol

The Money Moon was Jeffery Farnol's (1878-1952) third novel, first published in 1911. His novels are mostly historical and set in England. The Oxford Companion to Edwardian Fiction describes his style:

His heroes tend to be strong, silent and lacking in self-confidence. They resort to violence when rejected by his high-spirited heroines, who then crumple adoringly in response. Sententious peasants, prophetic fools and loyal retainers appear repeatedly; the style is marked by facetious humour and lavish use of stock archaisms.

The Presentaton Edition was advertised in newspapers in October 1914. It was not said to be issued in a box but in the back of the first edition of The Chronicles of the Imp it was described thus:

The Money Moon, A Romance of Today. Illustrated by 24 full page reproductions in colours from drawings by EDMUND BLAMPIED. Quarto, 6¼ x 9 inches. Beautifully bound in extra quality cloth with special cover design in gold and colours. Neatly boxed with handsome label in colour. Price 10s. 6d. net.

Readers of the Sphere, Tatler, Pearson's Magazine, and many other illustrated weeklies and monthlies will be well acquainted with the dainty line and colour drawings of Mr Edmund Blampied. In the new presentation edition of The Money Moon this well-known artist shows us his work at its best; for the story has been described as delicously fresh and fragrant - a description which fits Mr Blampied's style - and the labour of illustrating the book was, he says, a labour of love.

The presentation edition has been seen in two different bindings, each in different colours. No box has been seen.

The first binding I have named the 'Moon binding', as there is a yellow moon at the top, and was issued in crimson, green or blue cloth (see below). According to newspaper advertisements this was issued in October 1914 at a price of 10/6d. There was no mention of a box or slipcase.

The second binding I have named the 'Hops binding', because there are gilt hops on the cover, and it was issued in both red and blue cloth. This may be the book that was issued in a box. This binding is the same as a presentation editions of The Broad Highway, issued in 1912, and The Amateur Gentleman which was first published in 1913. According to the advertisements in The Money Moon, the fine edition of The Amateur Gentleman was to be published in the autumn of 1915. It may have been delayed because of the War.

As no dates are given in these books the only way to date the bindings is from inscriptions. The 'Moon binding' has been seen with inscriptions dated 1914. No inscription in any copies of the 'Hops binding' that precedes 1917 has been reported, which suggest that the 'Hops binding' is a later design.

The jacket may have been issued with later impressions, but it's the only jacket that I have seen. I bought it in the USA.

Three editions of this novel were available in 1915: a Presentation Edition costing 10/6d, an edition for 6/- (probably based on the first edition), and a new and cheaper edition for 2/- (with two illustrations by Blampied). The 6 shilling edition, not illustrated by Blampied, has not been seen with a dust jacket, which is the only place where the price is advertised. Advertising in the back of the cheaper 2 shilling edition (see below) states that by 1915 it had been issued in 'seven large editions'. They may have included the first edition, which did not have illustrations by Blampied.

The 2 shilling edition is shown below which uses two illustrations by Blampied from the Presentation Edition, one on the jacket and one as a frontispiece.

The American edition of this novel, published by Dodd, Mead & Company in 1911, was illustrated by Arthur I. Keller.

(Last updated on 20/3/2024)

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Dust jacket of first edition in crimson binding (click to enlarge)

Cover and spine of first impression 'moon binding' in crimson cloth (click to enlarge)

Cover and spine of first impression 'moon binding' in blue cloth (click to enlarge)

Cover and spine of first impression 'moon binding' in green cloth (click to enlarge)

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Cover and spine of second impression 'hops binding' in crimson cloth (click to enlarge)

Cover and spine of second impression 'hops binding' in blue cloth (click to enlarge)

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Internal illustrations: Frontispiece in colours (illustration facing page 96)

Price: 2 shillings

Printing history: none stated

Printed by: William Clowes and Sons, Limited, London and Beccles

Notes: My copy has an inscription dated November 1915 and contains advertisements for The Chronicles of the Imp which was published in that year.

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