First edition, first printing. Inscribed by the author to his publisher. Original laminated boards. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the contents clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. With the Quentin Blake designed bookplate of Tom Maschler to the front pastedown.
Inscribed by Quentin Blake in black ink on the title page "For Tom / with all good / wishes & thanks / for his / attention to .. / our feathered friends. / Quentin / April 1992". The artist has also drawn a speech bubble above each parrot on the title page, both reading "Thank you Tom!" A superb association copy, this being from the library of Tom Maschler, titan of British publishing and at the time of publication, the head of the Jonathan Cape publishing house. It was Maschler who in 1978 introduced Quentin Blake to Roald Dahl, therefore facilitating one of the most notable partnerships in late 20th century children's literature.
Stock code: 15672
£250