CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Inscribed presentation copy. Publisher's original burgundy cloth stamped in blind to the upper and lower boards, with titles in gilt to the spine, in dustwrapper. Top edge dark red. Illustrated throughout with line drawings by Joseph Schindelman. A fine copy, the binding square and tight, the cloth and top stain bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout. Complete with the better than very good lightly rubbed dustwrapper that has a nick at the top of the slightly darkened spine where it meets the rear panel, and a short split to the top edge of the front flap fold. Not price-clipped ($3.95 to the upper front flap). Genuine presentation copies of the first printing are scarce.

Inscribed by Roald Dahl in blue ink on the front endpaper "A VERY HAPPY / BIRTHDAY / TO JOHN / from / Pat / & / Roald / Jan. 22 1965". The recipient is John Russell (1919-2008), English art critic and journalist who at the time of presentation was a reviewer at The Times, a job secured on the recommendation of Ian Fleming with whom Russell worked in Naval Intelligence during World War II. Russell was married to the actress (later gallerist and publisher) Vera Lindsay (née Poliakoff), who was a friend of Dahl's wife Patricia Neal. A classic of 20th century children's literature and the basis for two highly successful film adaptations, the first in 1971, directed by Mel Stuart and starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, the second in 2005, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp in the lead role.