SCARCE WITH SUCH ATTRIBUTES

Briggs, Raymond ~ When The Wind Blows : Inscribed By The Author : Double Signed Association Copy

Hamish Hamilton, London : 1982

The First UK printing published by Hamish Hamilton, London in 1982. The BOOK is in near Fine condition. A hint of bumping along the edges of the boards. The book is internally clean and appears unread. The book is protected in a removable Mylar archival cover. Inscribed by Raymond Briggs to Julia MacRae on the verso of the front free endpaper: “For JULIA With Best Wishes and love from Raymond 15 March 1982” , presumably on or around publication date. Additionally signed and dated (1982) to the title page. With a programme for the theatre adaptation of the book at the Whitehall Theatre, London loosely laid in. No wrapper as issued. Julia MacRae (1934–2023) was an important figure in the world of children’s publishing. Some of her significant contributions include Eric Carle’s ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’, and Raymond Briggs’ ‘Father Christmas’. During her career she worked as an editor for Constable, Collins and Hamish Hamilton where she became the first female board member and one of the first women in any publisher’s boardroom. In an interview with “Women in Publishing: An Oral History” MacRae speaks about her experiences as the first female member of the board, and how hard she had to work to get there. In 1979 she left Hamish Hamilton having become not only the managing director of the children’s book division, but also the director of both Hamilton and its parent company Thomson Books. She established her own imprint Julia MacRae Books, initially part of Franklin Watts, then Walker Books, and finally Random Century. MacRae worked on Briggs’ books while she was at Hamish Hamilton and she would go on to publish some of his works under the imprint she herself established in 1979. An important association copy of one of Briggs’ key titles. As nice a copy as you are likely to find.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine