My Family and Other Animals | 1956, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author with a drawing of a bear.

Having spent every summer in Corfu as a child (and then many a night in Kassiopi in my teenage years!), this book is incredibly special to my heart.

Not only is it the rare first edition of My Family and Other Animals with the exceptionally rare dustjacket, but this example is truly one a kind as it's signed by Gerald Durrell and also features a drawing by him of a bear! I haven't come across a comparable copy in my time in rare books. It really is a delightful example.

First edition, first impression. Near-fine. Original boards, spine sunned with a few splash marks, dust-jacket, price-clipped, light sunning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, light spotting extremities a little toned, internally a near-fine. Signed and inscribed by Gerald Durrell. Ink ownership and gift inscription to endpaper "Elizabeth Maxtone Graham from Patrick Maxtone Graham who started me on all the Durrell Books 1957". Patrick Maxtone Graham was father to John Maxtone Graham, a Scottish-American speaker and writer on ocean liners and maritime history. An interesting provenance.

Published by Rupert Hart-Davis, London, 1956.