Nicholson, Willliam ~ Clever Bill : With The Scarce Wrapper : Signed By William Nicholson

William Heinemann, London : 1926

The First UK printing published by William Heinemann Ltd.,London in 1926. The BOOK is in Very Good++ or better condition. Oblong format with the original pictorial boards and titling to the front cover in red and black. A little rubbing at the spine tips, the corners and the lower edges but the wrapper has protected the book well. Internally a little light spotting to the end-papers. The very scarce WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good condition. A little loss at the spine ends and the corners with some edge-wear. A 5 cm closed tear to the lower front flap fold. The wrapper is spotted and the front panel is dust soiled and a little rubbed in places. Cover designs, pictorial pastedowns, and 23 full-page illustrations printed on the recto by the author. Inscribed in pink fibre pen by William Nicholson to the printed presentation panel on the front pastedown : 'For Mrs Howard From Mabel Low and From William Nicholson'. 'Mabel Low was the wife of a Harley Street doctor, Vincent Warren Low. She apparently met Nicholson in 1922 and they became friends. The friendship led to Nicholson painting portraits of several of the couple's children, including their daughter Diana Low (who went on to paint a portrait of William Nicholson which was exhibited at 'The Beggarstaffs exhibition' in 2019 at The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge). A very collectible copy of Nicholson's scarcest picture book.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good++
JACKET: Very Good