Lucius Books. Rare Books, First Editions, Signed copies in York, UK

Description:

The Jill Bennett archive of illustrations for the first edition of Roald Dahl’s Danny The Champion of The World. Including correspondence between the author, artist and the publishers Jonathan Cape, Alfred A. Knopf and Penguin (Puffin) Books. The illustrations begin with the three fine pencil character studies Jill Bennett sent to Dahl (who forwards them to his publisher) and includes the full colour dustjacket artwork and the 71 original pen and ink drawings (on 66 sheets) used to illustrate the story. Also present is the original photograph (believed to be Roald Dahl as a baby) used at the beginning of chapter one, and the “Sparky” lettering used at the conclusion of the final page.
Correspondence includes two autograph letters from Roald Dahl to Jill Bennett, one confirming receipt of the trial drawings, the other confirming the commission and forwarding comments from Knopf’s “wizz-kid editor” Bob Gottlieb; two typed letters from Alfred Knopf to Roald Dahl, one returning Jill Bennett's illustrations, the other giving layout measurements and deadlines for the jacket illustration; three typed letters from Kaye Webb at Penguin to Jill, the first sending the manuscript of "Roald's new book", the second asking for an alternative illustration to the photograph due to concerns about the quality of reproduction and the last enclosing two copies of Danny "in its Puffin coat"; three typed letters from Robert (Bob) Gottlieb at Alfred Knopf to Jill confirming receipt of the jacket artwork "which has been hailed a triumph", another enthusing about the Danny pictures and advising that "our half of your payment was sent out to you some days ago. And I have written strongly to Tom Maschler, urging him to pay his share at once."; two typed letters from Tom Maschler at Jonathan Cape to Jill, the first enclosing a cheque in payment "I am delighted with the result and I hope the great British reading public will be equally delighted!", the other forwarding a couple of copies of the Cape first edition and apologising for the delay in doing so; an autograph copy in Jill's hand of a letter from Bob Gottlieb to Roald Dahl approving the trial drawings and setting out the deadlines, illustration requirements and fee amount, and a standard letter from Random House enclosing early reviews of the book.