Peace at last, Signed First Edition

MURPHY, Jill. Peace at Last. London: Macmillan Children's Books, 1980. First Edition, First Printing. Original pictorial laminated boards as issued. ISBN 0-333-30642-2. Signed by Jill Murphy in blue ink with the message, "best wishes from Jill Murphy", beneath the printed dedication. A scarce signed first edition of Murphy's first picture book and one of the most important titles in her bibliography. Commended for the 1980 Kate Greenaway Medal and fully written and illustrated by Murphy. Signed material by Jill Murphy is encountered surprisingly infrequently in the trade, particularly contemporary signed first editions. Non-personalised signed examples of early Murphy works appear considerably less often than ordinary unsigned copies and are increasingly sought after by collectors of modern children's literature. Near Fine. Original pictorial laminated boards remain bright and attractive with light handling and shelf wear, including minor rubbing to part of the lower board edge. Binding firm and square. Internally exceptionally clean and well preserved, with the author's blue ink signature clearly present. An attractive and increasingly uncommon signed example of Murphy's first picture book. …