Mervyn Peake — Captain Slaughterboard Drops Anchor

London, Thomas Nelson and Sons LTD, 1967. Hardback. A smart edition of Mervyn Peake's first published work, a colourfully illustrated yet darkly humorous children's tale. In the original unclipped dust wrapper.A 1960s edition of this incredibly popular dark children's book, first published in 1939.'Captain Slaughterboard Drops Anchor' follows the titular captain and his crew abroad the Black Tiger, as they capture a small humanoid known in the tale as the Yellow Creature.Written and illustrated by Mervyn Peake, an English author who is best known today for his 'Gormenghast' books. He also illustrated editions of 'Hunting of the Snark', 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', 'Brothers Grimm', 'Treasure Island', and 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde&apos. This edition is illustrated throughout in a bright yellow in Peake's iconic style. In the original publisher's paper covered boards, in the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, smart. Very light bumping to the extremities. Minor edge wear to the dust wrapper, with a few small closed tears and chips, including a larger chip to the rear flyleaf. Light handling marks to the dust wrapper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Near Fine . Ill.: Mervyn Peake. Near Fine/Very Good.