First edition of one of the classic early St Trinian's books, published at the height of Ronald Searle's influence on British post-war humour. Written under the pseudonym Timothy Shy and illustrated throughout by Ronald Searle, this volume captures the anarchic spirit of St Trinian's that made the fictional school a cultural phenomenon and one of the most recognisable creations in twentieth-century British cartooning.
Original black cloth with gilt lettering and decoration to upper board and spine. Illustrated throughout with Searle's distinctive black-and-white drawings.
Condition: Very Good. Clean and sound copy with firm binding. Gilt remains bright. Internally clean with no major defects noted. Lacks the original dust jacket. Please examine photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
Why This Book Is Collectible
The St Trinian's books occupy an important place in British comic literature and illustration. Ronald Searle's savage and irreverent depiction of school life transformed newspaper cartooning and inspired a long-running publishing, film and merchandising legacy. His original St Trinian's drawings are now widely recognised as landmarks of post-war British satire.
This title belongs to the early sequence of St Trinian's publications produced during the period when Searle's reputation was rapidly expanding both in Britain and internationally. Collectors particularly seek first editions from the 1950s, which contain the original illustrations in their earliest published form.
While copies of this title do appear on the market, genuinely desirable examples are increasingly difficult to find. Many surviving copies were heavily read, especially in school and family libraries, and often suffer from inscriptions, foxing, worn bindings or loss. First editions in collectable condition are consequently sought after by Ronald Searle collectors, St Trinian's enthusiasts, and collectors of British illustrated humour.
An appealing example of a key St Trinian's title and an excellent addition to any collection of Ronald Searle, British illustration, comic literature, or post-war cultural history.
Carefully packed and dispatched promptly.
128 pp.
