CHURCH, Richard (author). Michael HUBBARD (illustrator). The Bells of Rye. London Heinemann. 1960 Signed

8vo.; original dark red cloth lettered in silver to spine, in pictorial dustwrapper with design wrapped-round to spine; pp. [x]+ 208; with coloured frontispiece and wrapper design by Michael Hubbard; a fine copy, without ownership marks, in a near fine, unclipped dustwrapper (12s 6d) with dust-soiling to lower panel.

First edition, neatly inscribed by the author, in ink, to the front free endpaper, “To Clare Priestly, an old friend, from Richard Church, Sept. 1960”.

An engaging narrative for young readers, being an historical adventure set in the Middle Ages in one of the Cinque Ports.  French marauders make off with Rye’s church bells during one of their frequent attacks on the town. Two youngsters, John Finch and a local hunchback, stow away on one of the avenging ships, sent to the French coast, and their sharp-wittedness and ingenuity save the day.  Richard Church (1893-1972) wrote for both adults and the young and is known for his sensitive evocation of childhood and his lyrical prose.