Briggs, Raymond ~ Father Christmas goes on Holiday

First UK Printing : Hamish Hamilton, London : 1975

The First UK Printing published by Hamish Hamilton, London in 1975. Large 4to., pictorial publisher's boards, lettered in black to spine; blue endpapers; housed in the illustrated wrapper (£1.80 net). The BOOK is in Very Good++ condition, save for some mild pushing to the spine tips, and a scratch to the lower board leading to a small gouge (with a little of the board showing through beneath); previous ownership inscription in biro to the front end-paper and a small bookseller sticker to the front paste-down; The WRAPPER is slightly toned to the edges with the odd small spot; else in near-Fine condition. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. Brigg's sequel to his 1973 publication of Father Christmas, which follows the grumpy protagonist as he converts his sled into a flying camper van for his Summer holidays. His travels take him to France, Scotland and Las Vegas in search of sun and anonymity, all portrayed in Briggs's classic comic-book sequence. In 1991 Briggs's two 'Father Christmas' books were adapted into a 25-minute animated film directed by Dave Unwin, with Mel Smith was the voice of Father Christmas. Later, in a BBC documentary aired on New Year's Eve 2018, Briggs claimed that the humanised portrayal of Father Christmas was partly based on his father as "they were both delivery men". A lovely, fresh example.

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