“THIS BOOK IS FOR CHILDREN OVER SIX. YOU QUALIFY—JUST”: FIRST EDITION OF CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, DELIGHTFULLY INSCRIBED BY ROALD DAHL AND WIFE PATRICIA NEAL FOR CHRISTMAS IN THE YEAR OF PUBLICATION

DAHL, Roald. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. New York: Knopf, (1964). Octavo, original red cloth, original dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. $18,000.

First edition, first issue, boldly inscribed in red crayon by Dahl and his wife, actress Patricia Neal, the inscription likely in Neal’s hand, the signature in Dahl’s: “Dear Anette and Gerald, This book is for children over six. You qualify—just. With love from Pat and Roald. Christmas 1964.” With numerous in-text illustrations by Joseph Schindelman.

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is already a great classic work… one of the most enduring post-war children's books—and I think we will not see its like again… Dahl is undeniably special" (Connolly, 102). It is in this famous work that the world was introduced to Willie Wonka. Inscribed copies of Dahl's books are uncommon, particularly with such a lengthy and highly personal inscription. First issue, in full red cloth and with six lines of publishing information on last page (instead of five).

Book fine. Dust jacket near-fine, with slightest rubbing, front fold splitting but stable, only two tiny closed tears to spine head. A wonderful inscribed copy. Scarce and most desirable.