Watership Down. Illustrated by John Lawrence.
London: Paradine (Penguin Books/Kestrel Books), 1976. 8vo. First illustrated edition. Signed, limited edition. #241 of 250 copies. Tipped in title page giving Paradine as the publisher, (but otherwise the Penguin Books/Kestrel Books edition), and signed in red ink on the verso by Richard Adams. The colour frontispiece illustration is signed by John Lawrence and this edition features an original water-colour, with his initials, on the first blank pages (this copy showing two rabbits raiding Nuthanger Farm). Original full dark green crushed morocco with raised bands by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, with lettering and decorations in gilt on the spine, a vignette of two rabbits in gilt on the front board, all edges gilt and marbled endpapers bordered by gilt-decorated turn-ins. In addition, this copy has a fore edge painting of two rabbits (based on the vignette illustration) by Noble. Housed in the marbled-paper slipcase as issued. Profusely illustrated with full and half-page line drawings, marginal vignettes, tinted illustrations and coloured plates after water-colours, all by John Lawrence. Large, fold-out coloured map at rear. The spine is a little faded, otherwise fine in fine slipcase. Item #9293
This edition has a new foreword by the author. A superb copy of this classic lapine adventure story. With all the attributes of this signed, limited edition and with the added benefit of the fore-edge painting making it unique.
Price: £6,000.00