An early Quentin Blake title in exceptionally near fine condition

Blake, Quentin ~ Jack and Nancy

Jonathan Cape, London: 1969

The First UK Printing published by Jonathan Cape, London in 1969. Large 8vo., pictorial publisher's boards in full colour featuring Jack and Nancy clinging to an umbrella; together in the repeat design wrapper (clipped, with publisher's overlaid price sticker of £2.50 net to front flap); copiously illustrated in full colour throughout by QuentinBlake; The BOOK is essentially in near Fine condition and appears unread. Just a hint of LIGHT pushing to the spine tips; The WRAPPER is equally in near Fine condition, with a just a touch of creasing around the spine ends. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. A very scarce early title by Quentin Blake, who here provides both the narrative and the illustrations. The story focuses around two children who dream of travelling the high seas - and are one day swept away under their father's big green umbrella to a remote, parrot-populated island. Preceded only by one other title - 'Patrick' (1968, about a boy and his magical violin), 'Jack and Nancy' was described by one Guardian reviewer as containing "just enough peril to be exciting to a child... eliminat[ing] the potential fear or loneliness...beautifully simple, yet exciting". A scarce early title by one of Britain's best loved writers and illustrators. 92 years old at the time of cataloguing, Blake is soon to open a new charity centre for illustration in Clerkenwell, London. A wonderful scarce copy.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine
JACKET: Near Fine