association copy

A lovely association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper: 'For JULIA With Grateful Thanks for all your wonderful help with this book with love from Raymond 6 July 1998'.

The recipient was Julia MacRae, an important figure in the world of children's publishing. Some of her significant contributions include Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas. MacRae worked on Briggs' books while she was at Hamish Hamilton and she would go on to publish his works under her own imprint, Julia MacRae Books, established in 1979. The warmth of this inscription is a testament to her close working relationship with him.

With a ticket to the 10th Annual British Book Awards 1998 loosely inserted at rear. Briggs won the prize for Best Illustrator for this book.

First edition, first impression, inscribed by the author; 8vo; colour illustrations by Raymond Briggs, internally fine; publisher's brown cloth, gilt lettering to spine, with the unclipped pictorial dustjacket, a little rubbing to extremities, else fine.