A Bear Called Paddington.

BOND, Michael; Illustrated by Peggy Fortnum .

Item Number: 5083

London: Collins, 1958.

First edition of the first book in the Paddington series. Octavo, original red cloth. Inscribed by Michael Bond on the half-title page. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing to the front panel and a few small closed tears. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A nice example of a book that is usually found well worn.

"Paddington's appeal came not only from the hilarious situations and mishaps in which he found himself… but also from Peggy Fortnum's pen-and-ink sketches, which capture Paddington's bewitching charm and combination 'little boy/small bear' character… Bond's books recognize the everyday worries of small, accident-prone children and treat their fears with compassion, wit and laughter" (Silvey, 70-71).