Complete Collection of the works of Ronald Searle, almost 200 books, many Signed and Inscribed

SEARLE, Ronald [and others]

Published by Various publishers

Collection of 196 books written by, illustrated by, jacket designed by, edited by or about Ronald Searle. Almost all are first editions in Very Good to Fine condition. 20 of the books signed by Ronald Searle, several to friends, associates and other cartoonists.

The most comprehensive published bibliographic list of Searle's work is in the 2003 Russell Davies biography. The collection offered here includes everything in Davies' bibliography, and also much not on Davies? list.

The signed books include:
1) How to be Topp. 1st edition, 1954, in jacket. Signed and inscribed to Nicholas Glass, long time Channel Four arts critic.
2) Whizz for Atomms. 2nd impression, 1956. Also signed and inscribed to Nicolas Glass
3) Searle's Big Fat Cat Book. 1st edition, 1982. Signed, inscribed and with a half page ink and coloured drawing of a Searle Cat: "for David with love - this collection of international currency from his old friend Ronald". The recipient was David Arkell, journalist and author
4) Cabinet des Estampes. 1st edition, 1973. Inscribed to David Arkell
5) The Female Approach. 1st edition, 1954. Signed and inscribed: "Jean Effel with love and best wishes from Kaye and Ronald"
6) Refugees 1960. 1st edition, 1960. Signed by both Searle & Webb.
7) Filles de Hambourg. 1st edition, 1969. Signed and inscribed.
8) Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines. US 1st edition, 1965. Signed and inscribed by Searle.
9) Russell Braddon - The Piddingtons, with sketches by Ronald Searle. 1st edition, 1950. Signed and inscribed by Sydney Piddington and signed by Searle.
10) Back to the Slaughterhouse. Signed and inscribed to Tony Godwin, chief editor at Penguin in the 1960's.

The collection also includes a complete run of signed limited editions from Searle?s later years:
11) Watteau Revisited. One of 42 specials with six prints in a sleeve.
12) Kiss Kiss, more news from Provence, together with What! Already? Searle at 90. Two vols, soft covers in slipcase, signed by Searle. These are Paperbound Specials, No. 12/15.
13) Les Très Riches Heures de Mrs Mole. Signed by Searle and Monica Searle.
14) The Predatory Bite of the Steel Nib, the scrapbook drawings of Ronald Searle. Signed.

The Face of War - Included are four different copies of this book:

15) Limited edition, signed by Searle and Simon Rae, No. 92/294.
16) One of 36 special copies, presented in a green slipcase, No. 7/36.
17) One of 14 fully coloured copies in a clamshell box. No. V/XIV.
18) Printer?s mock-up bound in hard boards, with dust jacket having the same cover artwork as the published book. This book was never published with a dust jacket; possibly a unique binding and jacket.

A selection of other books worthy of note in this description:

The collection contains all of Searle?s earliest publications including

19) Cooperation in a University Town by Henry Brown, 1939.
20) Forty Drawings, 1946. Ownership ink stamp of John Locke, Searle's North America Agent.
21) Le Nouveau Ballet Anglais. Searle's 1st French publication, 1946.

Other tough-to-find or unusual books in the collection include:
22) Weil Noch das Lämpchen Glüht. Searle's 1st book in German.
23) Médisances. Pub. by Revue Neuf, Paris, 1953. Scarce especially with the jacket.
24) Mr Brown the Elder takes Mr Brown the Younger to a Club. Illustrated by Searle. Privately printed as a Christmas gift.
25) The Suicide and Reincarnation of an Extremely Small Man. Published in Belgium, [1972]. Soft covers.
26) To the Kwai and Back. War Drawings 1939-1945. Publisher's mock-up, blank book other than 16 pages with proposed layout.
27) Les Très Riches Heures de Mrs Mole. Publisher's mock-up for the trade edition.

With 4 ephemeral items, inc. Searle 1960 calendar, & a poster with image from Something in the Cellar.
In total 200 items, offered as a collection. A full list of all items, including condition etc of each book, available as an Excel file. Additional shipping charge for International Delivery. Seller Inventory # B0198

Bibliographic Details

Title: Complete Collection of the works of Ronald ...
Publisher: Various publishers
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Near Fine
Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
Signed: Signed by Author(s)
Edition: 1st Edition