First edition, Edition de Luxe. Large 4to. Number 6 of 10 special copies, from a greater limitation of 100, with an original watercolour on the limitation page and signed by both author and illustrator. In publisher's full tan morocco by Zaehnsdorf. Titling blocked in gilt, all page edges gilt and silk endpapers. This copy with a presentation inscription from the author to Peter Kay, who at the time worked for booksellers and distributors E. Joseph. "Dear Peter - In thanks for many years of good friendship and good books during the golden years of Uncle Sam and DB - "the E. Joseph era" as we would like to remember it - and the hope of more in the future. Affectionately - Leslie. *see page 38". Page 38 is heavily annotated by Bricusse, highlighting one stanza: "*The suppressed - and rather more truthful - original stanza at the foot of the page. LB" and at the foot of the page, "In Wales, I nearly drowned at sea. / A terrorist threw a bomb at me. / An Arab tried to steal my coat. / A Libyan almost slit my throat. / An Indian stole my drinking cup. / The Irish tried to blow me up." The published version removed the nationality references. A fine copy in the original publisher's quarter morocco, fleece lined box. Twelve tipped in colour plates under captioned tissue guards, plus numerous black and white drawings throughout. The frontispiece of Father Christmas on his sleigh does not appear in the trade editions. "This sparkling poem tells how wars, bureaucracy and politics make life more and more difficult for Santa Claus. Leslie Bricusse's witty verses are perfectly matched with Errol Le Cain's delectable illustrations to make a sumptuous picture book" (Blurb) In the story Father Christmas has a very "bad night" on 24th December 1993; the elves have trouble with the new gadgetry, the sleigh gets hijacked and to cap it all he gets a parking ticket in London! Leslie Bricusse is perhaps better known as a songwriter, having composed many songs for films, including "Goldfinger", sung by Shirley Bassey, and "The Candy Man" for "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." The watercolour in this copy is a particularly large and detailed one of Santa perusing a large globe.
