"A Young Man Comes To London" 1931, ARLEN, Michael
$250
A short story by Michael Arlen
[46] pp.
Privately published by The Dorchester Hotel
Keliher & Co. Ltd
1931
A Young Man Comes to London is a charming promotional book privately published by The Dorchester in London to celebrate it's opening in 1931. Michael Arlen's short story is a satirical romance involving two Bright Young Things on the make. The drama takes place amongst the houses and parties of Mayfair and ends with one of the characters dashing off in a taxi to the new Dorchester Hotel; having just opened that day it is the only place that will give him credit. Arlen himself was a figure of London society and his story perfectly captures the mix of flightiness and bravado of the young 1920s set. Cecil Beaton provides charming illustrations.
The second-half of the book is devoted to the building and interiors of the new Dorchester. The Hotel's developers Sir Francis Towle and Sir Malcolm McAlpine provide 'A Brief History of a New Enterprise' and 'Some Facts and Figures about the Dorchester' respectively. Professor C.H. Reilly gives an architect's perspective. The colour plates give an excellent illustration of the interiors. A marvellous social document
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