Richmal Crompton | William - the Rebel, 1933, first edition, presentation copy inscribed

Richmal Crompton

William - the Rebel. London: George Newnes, [1933]

8vo (184 x 117mm.), FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY RICHMAL CROMPTON TO HER NEPHEW THOMAS DISHER, THE "REAL WILLIAM" (Thomas Disher | with the author's love | Richmal Crompton | April 1933"), coloured crayon markings on various pages by the author noting printing errors, illustrations by Thomas Henry, original cloth lettered in gilt, fore-edge spotted, binding slightly marked and discoloured

Thomas Disher was the nephew of Richmal Crompton, son of her sister Gwen and brother to Margaret Disher. "The original of "William", scrubby, tousle-haired, inky-fingered little schoolboy immortalised by Richmal Crompton ... is now a twenty-three-years-old bank clerk ... he is Miss Richmal Crompton's nephew." 

Pages 134, 155, 157, 177-182 all carry coloured crayon markings by Richmal Crompton noting printing errors.

LITERATURE:

Lofts and Adley 15; Margaret Disher, Growing up with Just William, by his sister, p.vii

PROVENANCE:

Thomas Disher, by descent to Margaret Disher