"There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. "
— Oscar Wilde
Roald Dahl | First Editions
1916 - 1990
Roald Dahl (13 September 1916 – 23 November 1990) was a British novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter, and fighter pilot. He is one of the most beloved children's writers of all time, and his books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide.
Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, Dahl served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence officer, rising to the rank of acting wing commander. Dahl began writing fiction for both children and adults, and rose to prominence in the 1940s. Today, Dahl is one of the world's best-selling authors, and has been referred to as "one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century". His awards for contribution to literature include the 1983 World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement, and the British Book Awards' Children's Author of the Year in 1990. In 2008, The Times placed Dahl 16th on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945".
Dahl's short stories are known for their unexpected endings and his children's books for their unsentimental, macabre, often darkly comic content, featuring villainous adult enemies of the child characters. His books champion the kind-hearted, and feature an underlying warm, moral current. Roald Dahl died on 23 November 1990, at the age of 74. According to his granddaughter, the family gave him a "sort of Viking funeral". He was buried with his snooker cues, some very good burgundy, chocolates, HB pencils and a power saw. Today, children continue to leave toys and flowers by his grave.
See below our stock of Roald Dahl First Editions, fine bindings, sets, and signed copies.
Results 1 - 16 (of 16)
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. The further adventures of Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka chocolate-maker extraordinary.
New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 1972. [Children's classic] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (25 x 17cm), pp.[12]; 164. Publisher's blue quarter cloth over grey paper covered boards, titles in pink to spine, blocked in blue to upper, grey endpapers, dust-jacket illustrated by Schindelman with printed price of $3.95. Illustrated throughout. Occasional..... More
The BFG.
London: Puffin, 2016. [Children's Classic] FIRST THUS, Blake's original illustrations. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.x, 197 [1]. With line drawings by Blake throughout, and a new foreword. One of 5000 copies thus. Publisher's blue and white illustrated paper-covered boards, and similarly decorated endpapers. With the blue illustrated dust-jacket, priced at..... More
The Commemorative Limited Edition of the Works of Roald Dahl. Set of novels and short stories including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and The Great Glass Elevator, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Magic Finger, Danny the Champion of the World, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, The Twits, George's Marvelous Medicine, The BFG, The Witches, Boy, Going Solo, Matilda, Esio Trot, James & The Giant Peach.
London: Jonathan Cape and Harper Collins, 1991. LIMITED EDITION, of only 500 sets of which this is No190. The only major collection of Dahl's works. 15 volumes illustrated by Quentin Blake and others. Octavo (25 x 17 x 35cm). Publisher's gilt-titled quarter blue morocco, over patterned paper boards, top edge..... More
Esio Trot.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1990. [Children's classic] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.64. Publisher's blue cloth, gilt titles to spine, in pictorial dust-jacket illustrated by Quentin Blake with printed price of £6.95. Illustrated throughout in black and white by Blake. Contents clean. A lightly handled copy in near fine condition..... More
Roald Dahl's Guide to Railway Safety.
London: British Railways Board, 1991. [Ephemera]. ORIGINAL PAMPHLET. Octavo (21 x 15cm), pp.24. With colour illustrations by Blake to every page. Publisher's colour-illustrated card wrapper, stapled. Child's ownership mark to verso of front cover. A little thumbed, otherwise good. 'British Railways Board asked Roald Dahl to write the text of..... More
The Witches.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1983. FIRST EDITION. Octavo, pp.208. With illustrations by Blake. Publisher's green cloth boards in original pictorial dust-jacket. Slight toning/spotting to edges, some shelfwear, jacket price-clipped, no inscriptions or bookplates. A very good, lightly used copy. Basis for the 1990 Jim Henson-produced movie starring Anjelica Huston and Rowan..... More
James And The Giant Peach. A Children's Story.
New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, [circa 1972]. [Children's Classic] VINTAGE COPY, a later issue showing ISBN, and mentioning 'Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.' Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.[8] 119 [1]. Illustrated with plain and coloured lithographs by Burkert. Publisher's orange cloth with gilt titles to spine and blind..... More
Two Fables.
London: Viking, 1986. FIRST EDITION, slim octavo (23 x 14cm), pp.64. Publisher's black cloth, titles in gilt to spine, in striking red and black dust jacket designed by Bet Ayer. Somewhat bleak illustrations by Graham Dean, including one disturbing colour print as a frontispiece. Minor edgewear; near fine. Two adult..... More
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
London: George Allen and Unwin Ltd., [1971]. [Children's classic] UK EDITION, Third impression (although some unscrupulous vagabond has removed the printing statement). Octavo (25 x 18cm), pp.[4]; 128. Publisher's illustrated boards, illustrated throughout the text with black and white line drawings. Textblock somewhat toned with some spotting to edges. Binding..... More
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 1964. [Children's classic] FIRST EDITION, First issue, with the six-line colophon; later issues/printings have this text reset in five lines. TRUE FIRST, preceding the English edition by three years. Dramatically illustrated throughout with rather peculiar artwork by Joseph Schindelman. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp..... More
Boy.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1984. FIRST EDITION, a nice association copy, WARMLY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR shortly after publication. Octavo, pp.160. Publisher's cloth in original dustwrapper, pictorial endpapers, numerous black and white photographs and sketches throughout. The first volume of Dahl's fascinating autobiography. Edges a little dusty, one neat production crease..... More
Going Solo.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1986. [Autobiography] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.208. Blue cloth with gilt titles to spine, photographic endpapers, illustrated jacket showing original price £7.95 (many copies seem to be clipped). Gently pushed to crown else a clean, fine copy. The author's second collection of autobiographical stories following..... More
My Uncle Oswald.
London: Michael Joseph Ltd, 1979. [Modern Literature] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (22 x 14cm), pp.221. Publisher's dark blue cloth in pictorial dust-jacket designed by Dave Senior, priced at £5.50. Neat ink ownership else a lovely fine copy. Slightly risque, adult romp from the regular 'Playboy' contributor. Roald Dahl received the World..... More
Dirty Beasts.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1983. [Childrens Illustrated] FIRST EDITION. Slim Quarto (28 x 22cm), pp.[32]. Illustrated with hilarious and gruesome plates by Fawcett. Bound in publisher's pictorial paper boards, showing titles and a terrified child tucked up in bed to the front cover, titles to spine, yellow endpapers. Contents fine, binding..... More
The Enormous Crocodile With Pictures by Quentin Blake
London: Jonathan Cape 1978. INSCRIBED, Second Impression. Publisher's glossy pictorial boards; INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR facing title page: "To / TIMOTHY / WITH LOVE / Roald Dahl / 1981" [underlined]. Some edgewear, extremities a little pushed, very good. Roald Dahl received the World Fantasy Award [Lifetime Achievement] in 1983. Book..... More
![Man Lebt Nur Zweimal [LOBBY CARDS]. [You Only Live Twice]. Roald DAHL, writer, Harry SALTZMAN,...](/pictures/thumb/57743.jpg?v=1599755644)
Man Lebt Nur Zweimal [LOBBY CARDS]. [You Only Live Twice].
Frankfurt: United International Pictures, 1967. [Movie Memorabilia] ORIGINAL LOBBY CARDS. A set of eight lobby cards from the film 'Man Lebt Nur Zweimal' (the German version of 'You Only Live Twice'), directed by Lewis Gilbert, and starring Sean Connery, Donald Pleasence, Karin Dor, Akiko Wakabayashi, and Tetsuro Tamba. Colour half-tone..... More
Results 1 - 16 (of 16)