THE MILDENHALL TREASURE [with] Numerous Autograph Inserts.

First edition in book form (and first illustrated edition), first printing. Association copy. Signed by the illustrator to his art director at Jonathan Cape. Publisher's original dark blue cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in the Ralph Steadman illustrated dustwrapper. Illustrated throughout in energetic full colour by Ralph Steadman. A fine copy, the binding square and firm, bright and fresh. The contents with the illustrator's inscription and full page drawing to the half title are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the original dustwrapper that is without fading, loss or tears. Loosely laid in are two handwritten postcards from Steadman to the recipient, two Steadman illustrated bookmarks, inscribed and signed by the illustrator, and a small piece of paper inscribed by Steadman to the same recipient with a small bird drawing "For the enigmatic Ian ie Throstle - an endangered species along with the Pink Peelsee".

The book is inscribed in red and black ink on the endpaper around a full page drawing depicting the recipient driving a tractor, in the character of the protagonst Gordon Butcher, "I knew eed sneak another tractor conveyance in somewhere / To Ian / love / Ralph Steadman Nov. 99". The recipient Ian Craig was art director at Jonathan Cape, working with both Roald Dahl and Ralph Steadman, from 1973 until 1989 when he moved to Harper Collins, but continued to work for Cape on all Steadman projects at the illustrator's personal request. Roald Dahl's partly fictionalised parable of innocence and greed concerning Gordon Butcher and the unearthing of 'The Mildenhall Treasure', one of the greatest hoards of Roman silver ever found in the British Isles was first published as a short story in magazine form in 1946. This posthumous publication, featuring illustrations by Ralph Steadman, is not only the first publication in book form but also the first illustrated edition. An excellent association copy.