publisher Heinemann, should immediately withdraw the book. A week later the Express quoted a Heinemann official as saying, "We have not withdrawn the book, it just isn't for sale any more." Heinemann also withheld copies of the book from Putnam's, its New York publisher. A representative from Putnam's said that "the Sunday Express attack has succeeded in having the book banned. We regard this as an extremely unfortunate case of arbitrary censorship. We do not in the least agree with the Express position nor Heinemann's action." In October 1954, Baxter and Frere were put on trial at the Old Bailey, charged under the Obscene Publications Act 1857 for The Image and The Search. Baxter released a statement that "my object was a serious portrayal of the vulnerability to evil of any ego-centred personality and the disintegrating effect of sin on such a personality". Frere also released a statement, saying in part, "I regard Walter Baxter as one of the most gifted writers of this generation, whose powers are not yet fully developed. I feel that the publishers owe a duty to such writers and to the public to ensure that their creative work is not still-born. If it has value and is not deleterious to potential readers, I was, and am myself, satisfied that this book would not harm any readers." The case was prosecuted by Mervyn Griffith-Jones, who six years later led the unsuccessful prosecution in the case against Lady Chatterley's Lover. When the jury could not reach agreement after two trials, the defendants were acquitted. Later life The trials were disheartening for Baxter, and he would not write another book. Christopher Isherwood wrote in 1961 that Baxter "... has become a rather tragic self-pitying drunken figure with a philosophy of failure." Baxter eventually became very successful in his new career as a restaurateur. His French restaurant in South Kensington, called The Chanterelle, was quite influential and highly regarded. Baxter met chef Fergus Provan in 1962. Baxter and Provan became companions – a relationship which would last for thirty years. Beginning in 1978, they also had a professional connection, as Baxter retired and Provan took over the running of Baxter's restaurant. Baxter died on 25 July 1994. References Roman Catholic writers English restaurateurs British Army personnel of World War II LGBT Roman Catholics Converts to Roman Catholicism Obscenity controversies in literature 1915 births 1994 deaths Writers from London English