First UK edition, first printing. Publisher's original pictorial laminated boards, without dustwrapper was issued. Illustrated with line drawings throughout by Michel Simeon. A lovely fine copy, the binding square and firm and the the fragile laminate film intact. The contents are clean and bright throughout and without previous owners' marks. Housed in a bespoke quarter black morocco solander case with titles in gilt to the spine. A superb example of a notoriously brittle production. The first British printing of this classic of children's literature and the first edition to feature illustrations by Michel Simeon, which remained the standard up until 1990. Quentin Blake first illustrated the book in 1995. The story was first published in America in 1961 by Alfred A. Knopf, with illustrations by Nancy Ekholm Burkert. Further details and images for any of the items listed are available on request. Lucius Books welcomes direct contact with our customers.