RANSOME, Arthur (1884-1967). Swallows & Amazons, London, 1930, 8vo, original blue cloth gilt (some fading, without the dust-jacket). FIRST EDITION. RARE.

RANSOME, Arthur (1884-1967).  Swallows & Amazons. London: Jonathan Cape, 1930. 8vo (200 x 135mm). Half title, frontispiece, armorial ornament on the title (p.163 with some light staining). Original blue cloth lettered in gilt, publisher's blindstamp ornament to the lower cover, coloured map endpapers by Steven Spurrier (sections of fading to the covers, the spine faded, tiny black ink stain to the edge of the upper cover, very lightly rubbed at the corners, the free endpapers with the maps lightly browned, without the dust-jacket). Provenance: "Rosemary"; "Peter Mills"; "from Lord Latyler" (juvenile signatures on the front free endpaper opposite the half title). FIRST EDITION of this children's novel which "changed British literature, affected a whole generation's view of holidays, helped to create the national image of the English Lake District and added Arthur Ransome's name to the select list of classic British children's authors" (Peter Hunt). Eleven other novels were to follow in the series, several of which appear in the following lot. Hammond Arthur Ransome: A Bibliography (2000) A25. RARE.