Peter Duck

Ransome, Arthur

Published by London Jonathan Cape 1932, 1932

About this Item

First edition. 432 pages + 2 of ads. Inscribed by the author to the half-title page: "For the Kelsalls from the Ransomes Dec. 3. 1932.". The Kelsall family lived near the Ransomes and the two families were friends. The Kelsalls made several 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 (including those in Peter Duck), and contributed directly to the creation of 'Swallowdale'. The book is quite firmly bound in the publisher's dark green cloth, lettered in gilt, the cloth is slightly marked and rubbed, the extremities are bumped, the spine is slightly sunned and the cloth is partially split along approximately half of the rear hinge. The text block is somewhat marked, stained, foxed and age toned, with some creased or dog-eared page corners. The book has been supplied at some point with a replacement fourth impression jacket, presumably for protection, which is tatty, rubbed, marked and chipped. The book is preserved in a green cloth covered drop-back box, lettered in gilt to the edge, the box is lightly rubbed and marked. An excellent association copy of Ransome's Treasure Island inspired meta-fictional masterpiece.

Seller Inventory # 7211

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Peter Duck
• Publisher: London Jonathan Cape 1932
• Publication Date: 1932
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)