Dahl, Roald (1988) ‘Matilda’, UK signed and inscribed first edition

Roald Dahl (1988) ‘Matilda‘, UK signed and inscribed first edition, first printing, published by Jonathan Cape. Inscribed by Dahl on the ffep in his characteristic big letters: “To Lesley | With Love | Roald | April, 1988”.

Condition: a near fine copy. The boards are clean, the lettering on the spine clear and NOT rubbed out. Just a slight push to the bottom spine. The page block is a little darkened commensurate with age. The dust jacket is not price clipped and is slightly faded on the spine. As common with signed books by Dahl the ink has left a golden imprint on the reverse side including on the jacket’s front flap. This is a good sign and underlines the inscription’s authenticity.

Matilda is, among many wonderful Dahl stories, perhaps Roald’s most loved children’s novel. It was adapted as a film (1996) starring Mara Wilson and Danny DeVito. It is a hard book to find as a true signed first edition.