Mervyn Peake — Works of Mervyn Peake

London, Victor Gollangz Limited; Allan Wingate; Peter Owen; Colin Smythe Limited, 1946-1973. Cloth. A fantastically illustrated set of works by British writer, artist, poet, and illustrator Mervyn Peake. A fantastic four volume set of works by Mervyn Peake.Peake was a British writer, artist, poet, and illustrator. While best known for his Gormenghast books, he also wrote poetry and literary nonsense in verse form, short stories for adults and children.Peake first made his reputation as a painter and illustrator during the 1930s and 1940s, when he lived in London, and he was commissioned to produce portraits of well-known people. This set includes:1946 The Craft of the Lead PencilThe first edition. In this work, Mervyn provides a study and guide to using the lead pencil, discussing the craft of the pencil and how to use the material. Throughout Mervyn has included examples of his own pencil drawings.1954 Figures of Speech The first edition. A book of illustrations representing a particular figure of speech, with a key to the answers at the end of the book.1972 A Book of NonsenseThe first British edition. A book of poetry including works such as 'Little Spider', 'It Is Most Best', 'The Hideous Root', and more. With an introduction by Maeve Gilmore, his wife. With in text illustrations.1973 The Rhyme of the Flying BombThe second edition, first published in 1962. With in text illustrations by the author. A narrative poem of a sailor wandering in London during a World War II air-raid who finds a newborn baby in the debris.All in their original cloth bindings. All volumes except The Craft of the Lead Pencil are in their original unclipped dust wrappers. In publisher's original cloth bindings. With three volumes in their original unclipped dust wrappers. Externally, very smart. Marks to rear board of Figures of Speech and The Craft of the Lead Pencil volumes. Shelf wear to spine of The Craft of the Lead Pencil volume. Ink inscription to front free endpaper of A Book of Nonsense. Dust wrappers are smart. Marks to rear of Figures of Speech wrap, with slight loss at the head and tail of the spine, and and the odd closed tear to extremities. Slight spotting to wrap of A Book of Nonsense, with small loss to head of spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean, with occasional spotting and age toning. Very Good . Ill.: Mervyn Peake. Very Good/Very Good.