NATIONAL VELVET - A Signed Presentation Copy of the USA 2nd Printing

New York: William Morrow, 1935. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Fair. 2nd Printing of the First US edition - issued in the same of month of publication as the First Printing (April 1935). An extraordinary copy of this classic of 20th Century children's literature and basis for the film starring a young Elizabeth Taylor. At first glance, a rather scruffy copy which doesn't really bear a second glance but never judge a book by its cover. At the front endpaper, the most delightful inscription from Edith Bagnold: "To Miss Busvine, from a querulous, bad-tempered but very grateful author - to a saint. Edith Bagnold, London, March 1936". Very interestingly, Miss Bagnold (married name, "Jones") has also signed for a second time below the small drawing of a horse at the foot of the page as "Edith Jones". The illustrations in the book have always been attributed to the author's daughter, Laurian Jones, who was but a child at the time of publication, which begs the question of whether, in fact, "Mother" had quite a hand herself in the artwork. Fascinating stuff. The book itself is in reasonably Fair condition, with a lean, worn at the extremities, corners bumped, edges a bit grubby. The pink has faded from the boards, there are some small stains to the backstrip, the dustjacket is missing. Not the copy you would wish for condition-wise but for admirers of the work and/or the movie, a wonderful copy.