Coot Club

Ransome, Arthur

Published by London Jonathan Cape 1934, 1934

About this Item

First edition. Advance Proof. 352 pages. Author's copy, with a casual presentation inscription from Ransome to the title page: "Early proof. Lots of howlers, besides which eight small pictures are missing, all of which are in the printed book.". There are 12 minor authorial corrections to the text, the longest an ink addition of 5 words to page 41, also a correction of "Stalham Station" to "Salhouse Station" on page 19, and 3 corrections of "Daisy" to "Teasel". All corrections had made it into the final book by the 1937 fourth impression, aside from that to page 41, which was only partially used. The recipient of the book was Dick Kelsall (Richard Hope Kelsall (1922-2015)), whose ownership inscription: "R. H. Kelsall 1934." Is in ink to the half-title page. The Kelsall family lived near the Ransomes and the two families were friends. The Kelsalls made several notable contributions to the plots of the Swallows and Amazons novels: a code system was developed between the two households, which was used in 'Winter Holiday'. The two Kelsall children, Dick and Desmond served as models for some of Ransome's drawings, and various incidents in Coot Club were inspired by their equivalents during a May 1933 cruise on the Broads taken by the Kelsall & Ransome families. The book is reasonably firmly bound in the publisher's blueish green wraps, lettered in black, the covers are quite rubbed, marked and creased, the spine strip has significant loss and chipping, and the spine is cocked. The text block is toned, slightly foxed and marked with creasing and minor nicks to page edges. The book is preserved in a dark green cloth covered slipcase, which is lightly rubbed. An excellent association copy, and a rare opportunity to own a book which gives a glimpse into Ransome's editorial process.

Seller Inventory # 7214

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Coot Club
• Publisher: London Jonathan Cape 1934
• Publication Date: 1934
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)