Scarce with such attributes

Bowen, Elizabeth & Blake, Quentin [Illus.] ~ The Good Tiger : Signed By Quentin Blake

Jonathan Cape, London : 1970

The First UK printing published Jonathan Cape, London in 1970. Large 8vo., large pale grey-green boards, spine lettered in gilt with publisher's device to foot; together in the unclipped pictorial wrapper (16s net to front flap) featuring a wraparound design of a tiger by Quentin Blake; numerous illustrations throughout in black and orange; The BOOK is in near Fine condition with a slight lean to the spine. Internally clean and bright. The WRAPPER is in near Fine condition with just a hint of edge-wear and only the very slightest of fading of the orange colouring to the spine. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. The book has been signed (without dedication) by The illustrator Quentin Blake to the title page. The charming story of a docile tiger, who lives in a zoo and whose only desire is to eat cake. In a similar vein to 'The Tiger Who Came To Tea', the plot follows a boy and girl who invite the tiger to a party at their house - and subsequently lose him in a forest. Bowen was a prolific writer who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1965. 'The Good Tiger' was her only foray into Children's fiction, and was first published in 1965 with illustrations by M. Nebel. The story is greatly enhanced by Blake's enigmatic illustrations which show, among other scenes, Mrs Jones 'hopping' and 'quacking' on the dining room table, and the tiger eating cake in the wood with his two friends. An increasingly elusive Quentin Blake title with such attributes.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine
JACKET: Near Fine