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DURRELL**, GERALD M[alcolm]: : The Talking Parcel

LONDON.WILLIAM COLLINS SONS & CO LTD.,1974.

ISBN 0001848283.

UK,slim 8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn.(Precedes the (US) Philaelphia,J. B. Lippincott Company, 1975,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn - which was an illustrated edn, illus by Pamela Johnson.] FINE-/VG.No owner inscrptn and no price-clip to dw/dj.Bright, clean,glossy laminated,wrap-around colour pictorial artwork,by Liz James,illustrated dw/dj with white lettering to front and spine/ backstrip; with some negligible shelf-wear, rubbing and creasing to edges and corners.All four corners with miniscule rubbing and reciprocal miniscule loss,but spine/backstrip bright and not sunned, faded nor darkened.Rear panel of dw/dj with a repaired semi-circular tear from top gutter's edge and almost but not quite,across to rear vertical edge of the rear inner flap of dw/dj - no other major nicks or tears present.As a result of the now repaired tear,the body of the tear has received several slanted creases stretching from the top edges of the dw/dj down towards the actual tear and then stops.Creasing obviously ocurred post and not prior to tear.Paper used in the dw/dj is known for and to be prone to ubiquitously tearing easily.Top edges very lightly toned with minimal,sporadic dust- soiling flecks or foxing spots,fore-edges bright and clean with less affecting foxing/spotting; contents bright, tight,clean,solid and sound - near pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners, appears unread - apart from my own collation. Bright,crisp,generally and overall clean,sharp-cornered,publisher's original plain pale blue cloth boards with bright,crisp,blocked gilt letters to spine/backstrip,and immaculate, unblemished,plain white endpapers.UK,slim 8vo HB +dw/dj,1st edn,9-190pp [paginated] includes 8 chapters; plus [unpaginated] half-title+title pages,contents list/table and a dedication by Durrell to his God-daughter,Deidre Alexandra Platt. A very scarce and elusive sought after title; his 2nd of his children's fiction,following on from his first 'The Donkey Rustlers' published (UK) by Collins in 1968. Want more Gerald DURRELL titles? For similar and other available titles - please search my GENERAL,and BIOGRAPHY catalogues. While sunbathing on the shores of Greece, Penelope,Simon and Peter find a strange parcel which talks! Further investigation uncovers a parrot and a spider who have been expelled from Mythologia,a land of mythical animals.Parrot explains that the land has been taken over by the Cockatrices,and unless something is done quickly many of the animals will be destroyed. The children readily agree to accompany Parrot back to Mythologia.And once there,they rally the other animals to the cause of overthrowing the Cockatrices.Soon the Unicorns,the Mermaids,the Sea- Serpent,the Firedrakes and Mandrakes,as well as Ethelbert,the turn-coat spying Toad,are involved in a bold plan to capture Cockatrice Castle,seize the three Great Books of Government and restore Mythologia to its rightful ruler,the famous magician Hengist Hannibal Junketberry. This delightful,fast-moving fantasy is a delicious blend of adventure and lovely Durrell humour. Please contact seller,for correct shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas customers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! ** UK,buyers note,p/backs' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded after order receipt and before order's despatch,especially if p/back is offered P/p free. ** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: Standard AIR postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. 2/3rds of standard US AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving long before the quoted 42 days - but not always.

UK,slim 8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn.
Not SIGNED.