Black, Margaret & Ardizzone, Edward (Illus.) ~ Three Brothers and a Lady

FIRST UK PRINTING : The Acorn Press, London : 1947

The First UK Printing published by The Acorn Press, London in 1947 Large 8vo., decorative boards printed in pink and green to upper, and lettered in black to spine; together in the repeat dustwrapper (7/6 net); with frontis vignette and numerous others in full colour throughout the text, all by Edward Ardizzone, and several full-page; The BOOK is in Very Good++ or better condition ; endpapers toned and offset with light spotting; otherwise clean internally, a little bumped to corners with a small area of rubbing to the lower right hand corner of the front board; the WRAPPER is also in Very Good ++condition with the panels bright but faded at the backstrip, with some light creasing to the folds and a little loss to the upper and lower edges, particularly at the spine and upper edge of lower panel; one closed 3.5cm tear to the front panel. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. A wonderful collaboration between Margaret Black and Edward Ardizzone. Black is perhaps best known today for her cookery books, but also penned a number of little-known children's stories towards the middle of the 20th century. Here, the tale follows three brothers (one rendered invisible through a curse imposed on him by an ill-tempered fairy), and their adventures to find the lost daughter of the Grand Duke. In the depths of a mountain they foil evil enchantments, and a thrilling chase home ensues. Illustrations include countryside scenes, animals, waterfalls and old men with beards draping over a long trestle-table. Scarce in the wrapper.

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