Swallows and Amazons Arthur Ransome 1953 - rare ‘First and order only cheap edition’ Cape, London.

My story:
I am an absolute classic first and only edition of the adventure Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome published by Jonathan Cape in 1953. I am very rare to find these days!

Practicalities:
-I measure H 18cm by W 12cm
-I have 352 pages including adverts for other books to the rear.
-I weigh 393g.

Condition Summary:
Generally I am in a good plus condition on my outside and very good plus condition on my inside reading pages. I do have a price plate stuck on my front free endpaper. I come with my original dust jacket in an acceptable condition. For specific condition points see below.

Why buy me?
The first edition of this classic children's novel was published in 1930. I was published ‘cheaply', so more children could enjoy my story. The good news for me is that there was only ever one edition made of me, so now I am worth more than many other later editions of the originally printed book!
Underneath my dust jacket (more of that later) you will find a humble, green cloth with rather lovely old gold gilt titles to spine with the addition of an embellished urn at its bottom.
Now open me up to my pride and joy - my beautiful, pictorial, map endpapers in colour of Wild Cat Island. Unfortunately, there is a prize plate stick on my front free endpaper, presented to Margaret Cox. Luckily, my gorgeous front map is repeated at my rear, so you can finally see it in all its true glory! You will also discover a tiny general map of the island in black and white on page 10.
Inside I contain 24 quirky, black and white illustrations by Miss Nancy Blackett (they are all titled and you will find an index of them at my front).
My story is written on now very age toned pages in an otherwise very good plus condition.
At my rear you will find a brief biography of my author - did you know he was born in Leeds in 1884? - and adverts for other Ransome titles.
I am also very fortunate order still to have most of my illustrated dust-wrapper - exclusive to this edition (with four clipped corners). The bottom front flap has a larger clip where my price of 5s (five shillings) has been removed.

As I am around 68years old I will have some signs of age and use:

Cloth covers: spine ends rolled and worn with larger patches of fading each end dye to the dust jacket loss. The book corners are mildly rolled with a knock and creasing to the rear bottom edge; the cloth is generally clean - there is a long scratch across the top of the front cover with a few noticeable tiny bumps and dents.
Page edges: very age toned with some surface scratching and a few fox marks on the long edge. The top edge is more shelf worn from dust.
Endpapers: excellent but there is the prize plate at the front.
Reading pages: very good plus condition - just very age toned around their edges. No other significant issues found, just a few random tiny age dots and a few slightly bent bottom page corners.
Binding: still strong with intact guttering each end between the endpapers.

Dust jacket: acceptable condition only with severe loss on the spine ends; there is further milder loss on the hinge ends; there are many closed tears which have been strengthened on the back of the jacket with archival tape; the spine is severely age toned compared to the rest of the jacket which is also age toned more moderately. The flaps are only mildly age toned. There is age toning and gentle wear along the immediate long edges (top and bottom). There is wear down my hinges and a mild crease down my rear flap. The covers have odd age and use markings here and there. I am now covered in an archival wrapping to protect me - it can be removed without damage.

A note from my seller:
This is a joy of an edition in a just about very good condition overall for its years with lots of visual content to support the delightful story! When I say rare this edition really is. I have only ever sold one other and when this one is sold I don't have a replacement.

I will be sent Royal Mail signed for delivery in the UK and Royal Mail International, tracked worldwide. Please message me for worldwide postage costs if not displayed.

I will be packed in recycled, biodegrable packaging where possible.

Seller code: 12-22