Watership Down.
London: Rex Collings, 1972. 8vo. First edition. Original light brown cloth, gilt. Folding coloured map at rear. Slight mottling to the cloth at the spine ends and along the bottom edge of both boards. Bottom corner tips gently pushed. Small tape mark to the front pastedown where the A.L.S. was attached and neat ink ownership, dated February 1973, to the flyleaf. Contents clean. Unclipped d/w has tiny nicks at the spine ends and some partial discolouration to the spine. Autograph letter, on blue paper, loosely inserted. Near fine in near fine d/w. Item #7529
The letter, dated 29th January 1973, is addressed to Miss [Audrey] Illsley: 'It was nice to see you to-day - and I also ran into Daphne Llewellyn a minute later. Like old times! I have caused copies of my book to be despatched to yourself, Daphne and Janet Wall. They should turn up this week and are, of course, gratuitous and "with author's complts." As I said to Rosamond [one of his two daughters and dedicatees of the book], "You could have fooled me." It was just meant as a story for the girls. I am enclosing copies of the reviews, which you may like to glance at. I think those ladies and gentlemen are just glad to get something that isn't Enid Blyton! I shall always retain a very soft spot for Fairseat. To adapt Macbeth, " Had I as many girls as I have lives, I would not wish them to another fate..." Yours sincerely, Richard Adams'. Audrey Illsley was the Headmistress of Fairseat school when it was attended by both of Richard Adams' daughters. A nice association copy in excellent condition and with the benefit of the letter from a proud author as his first book began to take off. The story of how Hazel, Fiver and the other rabbits leave their warren and seek a new, safe home on Watership Down was first told to his daughters on long car journeys and is now a children's classic.
Price: £3,750.00