{"product_id":"mud-straw-and-insults-confessions-of-an-honest-estate-agent","title":"Mud, Straw and Insults: Confessions of an Honest Estate Agent","description":"\u003cp\u003eRoy Brooks was an eminent estate agent who became a legend in his own time for the puckish delight he took in telling the truth, the whole truth - and even the unwholesome truth - about properties that he advertised for sale. In a trade well known for its euphemisms, optimistic cliches and skilful literary camouflage, he won the delighted applause of the property-buying and advertisement-reading public.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHe died in 1971, leaving behind him an extraordinary collection of advertisements. His honesty and impudent originality were, surprisingly perhaps, rarely offensive. He walked his editorial tightrope with a natural flair and disarming humour. He espoused causes, advocated charities and benefited both. He brought a nationwide following to the \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e and the \u003ci\u003eObserver\u003c\/i\u003e and readers seemed no less attracted to his political and social homilies than to his scathing and acid descriptions of property. This is a selection of the best of the property ads that became essential weekend reading.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWILL ANYONE TAKE PITY ON A NASTY OLD HOUSE adj. REGENT'S PK. TER. On still nights the friendly howl of the Hyaena floats over the Mappin terraces \u0026amp; one can, maybe, imagine oneself far away from our acquisitive society. 9 rms., 2 bathrms., kit. All in pretty foul order. Will only sell for single occupancy to gentlepeople. G.R. £70. Lse. abt. 75 yrs. £7,250 (I expect we'll see it resold, done up, in a year or so for abt. £14,000).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"sb-details\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Humour\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2004\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 112\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hodder \u0026amp; Stoughton\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9780719567797\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Brooks, Roy","offers":[{"title":"Very Good — £1.00","offer_id":48014033027249,"sku":"SB-0719567793-C2","price":1.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0618\/2669\/5345\/files\/0719567793.jpg?v=1791593453","url":"https:\/\/sellbooks.co.uk\/products\/mud-straw-and-insults-confessions-of-an-honest-estate-agent","provider":"Sell Books .co.uk","version":"1.0","type":"link"}