Michael Bond – The Paddington Bear First Edition Set 1958-70 – ALL SIGNED presentation copies – With accompanying archival material

Description

A set of nine first edition, first printings of The Paddington Bear First Edition Set by Michael Bond, published by Collins between 1958 to 1970 – with accompanying archival material. All books are inscribed, with the exception of ‘Paddington Goes To Town’ which has a note inserted, to Jennifer Snowden, daughter of the director Alec Snowden, a film director first briefed by Michael Bond, with bringing Paddington The Bear to screen. They are all in very good condition.
The books are also accompanied by a collection of letters, some typed and hand inscribed by Michael Bond to Alec, as well as to his daughter Jennifer, along with ephemeral photos and pieces, such as a theatre programme, greetings card signed by Bond and photos of Alec with the ‘original’ Paddington Bear played by Kenny Baker.
Jennifer Warner, in her book ‘The Unofficial History of The Paddington Bear’ (2014), quotes Michael Bond as describing Snowden as ‘of the old school tradition’, as his [Snowden’s] specialism had been detective movies. Bond describes how Snowden insisted Paddington Bear be ‘played by a midget in bearskin’ (in this case by Kenny Baker of Star Wars fame). The costume (as seen in the photograph) ‘looked pretty good in person, but on camera every fault was magnified (…) the visible seams in the costume were reminiscent of Frankenstein’. The effect was so bad, that Bond noted, ‘nobody in their right mind would have taken him home to live with them’.
The archive of letters include two from Jennifer to Michael Bond, one hand written two page letter of condolence to Alec’s wife, Rene and six letters pertaining to the production of Paddington addressed to Alec Snowden. One letter in particular discusses the option of a series of ten minute films and the legal action brought about by the production of a ‘pirate’ Paddington Bear – the bear created. The majority of the letters are signed and include ‘P.S’ messages at the bottom.
As aforementioned, the books are in very good condition. Each copy has some slight foxing and handling marks to the rear panel and general wear to the dust wrappers. The latter four have not been price clipped, but the former five have. As mentioned, there is slight tearing to the wrappers, particularly on the first title ‘A Bear Called Paddington’ and the penultimate ‘Paddington Goes to Town’. The spines are bright and clean, aside from the fourth title ‘Paddington Abroad’ which has been sunned to the point of illegibility of the title. The internals are clean throughout, aside from the front flyleaves and paste downs, which suffer from mild toning in the third three titles. Overall, this is a very good set of signed first edition titles, which hold a fine association.
Whilst in places the condition of these books falter, they are a fine signed set indeed with the typed and hand inscribed letters to match. A rare opportunity for any Paddingtonista out there.