Books

First edition. 4to. Original cloth backed paper covered boards, illustrated in colour by Peake. In the original pictorial dustwrapper with illustrations mirroring those of the boards. With a large detailed pencil drawing by Peake of Slaughterboard on the front endpaper, and inscribed by Peake's father (Doc) to Peake's mother (Elizabeth). Further signed by Peake and dated 1940. A near fine copy in a very good dustwrapper which has chips from head and tail of the spine, internally reinforced, and a couple of short closed tears. A generally well-preserved copy of a very uncommon book. Dustwrapper and boards illustrated in colour by Peake, with line drawings throughout. Peake's first book was published in October 1939. On 3 October, Peake, having heard that his mother had had a stroke, went to his parents' Sussex house, from where he wrote to his friend Gordon Smith, "I am writing to tell you about Mother, who I am afraid has not long to live now, Maeve [Peake's wife] came up from Stratford and she and I are now with Doc. down here." (Gordon Smith - Mervyn Peake: A Personal Memoir). Peake's mother died on the 8th of October. It is possible that Peake took down a copy of his just-printed first book to show his parents, which was to become this poignant presentation copy from father and son. The literary press were not receptive to the book: "quite unsuitable for sensitive children" (Punch) and sales of the book were slow. The publishers were advertising remaindered copies for 2/6 less than a year later, shortly after which all remaining copies were destroyed in a warehouse fire caused by the Luftwaffe's bombing of London. Now one of the most sought-after modern illustrated books, the first edition is very rare, and this is the only significant association copy, or copy with a drawing that we have encountered. Winnington A1a.

Captain Slaughterboard Drops Anchor is a fantastical story of a captain and his crew, containing richly drawn characters by Mervyn Peake, an author known for his ability to blend the whimsical with the macabre.