McKEE, David (author and illustrator). Mr. Benn – Red Knight. London Dobson Books Ltd., 80 Kensington Church Street. 1967

Slim 4to.; publisher’s pictorial boards with designs by McKee to both covers, double-page pictorial endpapers, in repeat pictorial dustwrapper; pp. [42]; with illustrations throughout alternately printed in full-colour and intricate line; an all-but-fine copy, with a very small bruise and tiny wear to bottom forecorner of upper cover, presented in the rare, unclipped, dustwrapper (18s) with very light dusting and a single unobtrusive closed tear (18mm) to top edge of upper panel; exceedingly scarce, especially in this fantastic condition, complete with a similarly fresh jacket.

First edition, first printing, of the very first Mr. Benn title, without the ISBN number, as required. The eponymous character receives an invitation to a fancy dress party and makes his very first visit to the famous costume outfitters. He dons a suit of armour but then fails to find his way back from the changing room into the shop. Rather he is catapulted into a dramatic mediaeval world of castles, kings and dragons.