signed by the author along with an original self portrait

Signed and dated (1960) by the author beneath a fabulous, full-page, pencil self portrait, on the front free endpaper. Bratby's style is nothing if not bold and the pencil drawing whilst far more naturalistic than his paintings retains all the energy of those more extensive works. This is the artist's first novel and though not expressly autobiographical it is certainly very much of his world and of its time. Just lovely.

First edition, first impression, with illustrations by the author, signed by the author along with an original self portrait; 8vo; publisher's grey cloth, device to upper board in black with gilt border, titles to spine gilt on a black ground. With the Bratby-designed dust jacket. A lovely copy in the nicked and frayed dust jacket missing a few small pieces and with a slightly faded spine.