Mervyn Peake — Mr. Pye

New York, The Overlook Press, 1969. Cloth. A charming American edition of Peake's quirky tale following the evangelism of Mr. Pye on the Channel island of Sark, including his illustrations. A charming American edition of Mr. Pye, the satirical novel of salvation and sin, written and illustrated by the esteemed surrealist author and artist Mervyn Peake. This edition posthumously published in 1969, a year after his death. First published in 1953. In the publisher's original quarter cloth, with bronze glit labelling to spine, in the original unclipped dust wrapper designed by Ann Gold. Contains numerous in-text illustrations by Peake. Poking fun at evangelists when Christian mass media was growing in popularity, this fantastical tale follows the titular preacher and the amusing consequences of his deeds and misdeeds upon his appearance. Peake spent many family holidays at Sark where the novel is set, and its island charm is seen through this quriky novel. In the publisher's original quarter cloth, with bronze glit labelling to spine, in the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, very smart, with minimal marks. Minor knocks to the head and tail of the spine, marginally heavier to the extremities. Dust wrapper is smart, with slight sunning to wrapper spine and to rear wrapper. Very faint browning to wrapper reverse. End papers are bright and clean with minimal browning and a minor bruise near head of front end paper hinge. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Near Fine . Ill.: Mervyn Peake. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed.