Mervyn Peake — Captain Slaughterboard Drops Anchor

Massachusetts, Candlewick Press, 2001. First edition. Hardback. A pleasing first Candlewick Press edition of this children's pirate romance story from British writer and illustrator Mervyn Peake. First Candlewick Press edition, first impression. The author's first book. This work is based on a story he had written around 1936, and was first published in 1939 by Country Life. A darkly humorous children's picture book concerning the nautical exploits of the titular captain and his rambunctious crew aboard their ship The Black Tiger. After some episodic adventures they capture a small humanoid, referred to only as the Yellow Creature, with whom Slaughterboard develops a strange platonic infatuation. Written and illustrated by Mervyn Laurence Peake, a British writer, artist, poet, and illustrator best known for what are usually referred to as the Gormenghast books. In the original paper covered boards. Externally, very smart with rubbing to the front board. Original unclipped dust wrapper is also very smart with light wear and minor sunning to the extremities. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout. Near Fine . Ill.: Mervyn Peake. Near Fine/Near Fine.