Signed, with original drawing and illustrated autograph note signed
KNIGHT, Dame Laura, D.B.E., R.A. (artist and author). A Proper Circus Omie. London Peter Davies. 1962 Signed

Large 8vo.; original lemon yellow boards lettered in metallic blue to spine, double-page pictorial endpapers, in pictorial pink and white jacket; pp. [iv], v-94 + [ii]; with full colour frontispiece and 42 plates and illustrations throughout in sepia, most full-page; a fine copy, without ownership marks, in an uncommonly fresh, price-clipped dustwrapper with a little marking to upper panel, a tiny 5mm scuff to lower panel, very small chipping to spine ends and a couple of minor edge-nicks.

First edition. An “omie” is a circus performer. This is an autobiographical account of the experiences of the veteran circus clown Josie, as related to the author and artist during her time travelling with the circus for several seasons.

This copy is boldly signed in ink by Laura Knight to the half-title above a unique pen-and-ink sketch by the artist, which extra-illustrates the printed vignette of a circus horse with a drawing of a check-trousered and top-hatted performer performing a hand-stand on the back of the animal.

Sold with an illustrated autograph note signed by Dame Laura Knight in ink, headed Archer Street Hotel London W1, Christmas 1947, with the message, “Blessings and the best of wishes from Laura” above a 6 x 11cm ink sketch by her of “Goliath the Dwarf” a circus clown, signed in ink with initials, L.K.