RUDYARD KIPLING. - Ian HAMILTON. Listening for the Drums. London: Faber and Faber, 1944. First edition, with an a.l.s. to Alice 'Trix' Kipling, 8vo (218 x 126mm.) Portrait frontispiece, numerous photographic illustrations. (Toning.) Original red cloth, gilt lettering to spine (slight fading to spine). Note: Ian Hamilton and 'Trix', Rudyard's younger sister, were dancing partners in Simla and Calcutta in 1886-87, and later. There remained an ongoing intimacy between the two and Hamilton refers to her in the book itself. The 14 line letter reads, in part: 'Dearest Trix, in posting you this copy of 'Listening for the Drums' my heart tells me that I am returning to my dancing partner of long ago a bit of the precious little self. There are all sorts of things scattered through these reminiscences - mostly rubbish, but the titbits, the best bits, the bits that will be quoted, come from you and what you told me about Ruddy and his great dividing line between verses and poetry. I should love to see you again...'. Provenance: Alice Kipling (inscribed to by the author verso the title-page).