Richmal Crompton | Still - William, 1925, first edition, presentation copy inscribed

Richmal Crompton

Still - William. London: George Newnes, [1925]

8vo (185 x 117mm.), FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY RICHMAL CROMPTON  ("Mother | with all the author's love | April 1925"), illustrations by Thomas Henry, original cloth, preserved in wooden box, fore-edge spotted, spine faded, lower hinge slightly split

This book and the others in the following lots were formerly in the collection of Richmal Crompton's sister Gwen and thence by descent to Gwen's son and daughter, Thomas Disher and Margaret Disher. Gwen Disher’s other daughter, Richmal, inherited the literary estate. A wonderful collection of family association and presentation copies, they represent a good selection of her writing for children and adults. Sisters Gwen and Richmal Crompton were extremely close growing up in Lancashire and when Gwen married Tom Disher, moving south to London, Richmal and their mother, Clara Crompton Lamburn, soon followed, joining them nearby.

Richmal Crompton studied her nephew, Thomas Disher, whose cheekiness and idiosyncrasies were brought to the fictional 'William'.

The first William book was Just William, published in 1922.

Included in this lot is a copy of W.O.G. Lofts and Derek Adley's William - A Bibliography with annotations and corrections by Margaret Disher, as well as other related material. 

LITERATURE:

W.O.G. Lofts and Derek Adley, William - A Bibliography, 5

PROVENANCE:

Clara Crompton Lamburn, thence by descent to Gwen Disher, Thomas Disher and Margaret Disher