A Complete Set of the 'Thomas the Tank Engine' Books
Edmund Ward; Kaye & Ward; Heinemann, 1945.
42 volumes, all first editions. 12mo. All volumes as issued, volumes 1-25 with pictorial boards and dustwrappers; volumes 26 - 40 in glazed pictorial boards (issued without dustwrappers). Volume One "Three Railway Engines" is signed by Rev. Awdry and volume 33 "Thomas and the Twins" is inscribed by Christopher Awdry. All volumes have colour illustrations. Volume 1 by William Middleton; volume 2 by Reginald Payne; volumes 3- 11 by C. Reginald Dalby; volumes 12 - 17 by John Kenney; volumes 18 - 26 by Gunvor and Peter Edwards and the remaining volumes by Clive Spong. A remarkable set with most volumes in really beautiful condition. The Three Railway Engines has been rebacked and has new endpapers, with the rare original dustwrapper, which has a chip to the rear panel. Thomas the Tank Engine has a somewhat worn dustwrapper, with some archival repairs to the rear. The remainder are mainly in fine or near fine condition. Overall, an exceptional set.
'It all began,' says Wilbert [Awdry], 'when Christopher caught measles...'. Like so many of the best books written for children - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Wind in the Willows - the first book in the Railway Series, The Three Railway Engines, began, not with any idea of publication, but as a story to please one particular child. (Brian Sibley - The Thomas the Tank Engine Man).
Rev. Wilbert Awdry went on to write 26 little books about Thomas and his friends. His son, Christopher took over the writing of the series, in 1983.
Stock ID: 33827
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