ELMER

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. Illustrated in colour throughout. A very near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with a previous owner's name (a book reviewer) on the half title, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the lightly rubbed dustwrapper that remains without loss or tears. Not price-clipped (18s net to the lower front flap). Scarce.

A superb example of the first edition of Elmer, in which David McKee's endearing multi-coloured elephant makes his very first appearance. Now a classic, the book was reprinted several times in the late 60's and early 1970s before going out of print following the death of the publisher Dennis Dobson. In 1989 Elmer was re-issued with re-drawn illustrations in a slightly shortened version by the Andersen Press, the success of which inspired the award winning author and illustrator to produce more than 40 additional Elmer stories. The first edition is identified by the statement 'first published in 1968' at the bottom of the title page and the SBN number 234 77179 8 on the title page and the corresponding SBN number to the bottom edge of the rear flap of the dustwrapper (undernearh the advert for Mr Benn Red Knight (1967). COPAC lists only one copy of the first edition (British Library), and four copies in early reprint (Exeter University, Oxford University, Trinity College Dublin, and the V&A).