A very rare find indeed – a first edition of Arthur Ransome’s children’s book ‘Swallows and Amazons’ is to come onto the open market in July at Tennants Auctioneers Summer Book Sale on Wednesday, 25th July 2007 and is expected to sell for several thousands of pounds. In excellent condition, with its original dust jacket well preserved, this rare copy is being sold by a private vendor from Yorkshire.

Another copy of this book (with a stained dust jacket) was sold several years ago by a London Auction House for £5,000.

Arthur Ransome was born in Leeds in 1884 and wrote ‘Swallows and Amazons’ in 1930.  This famous book is the first in a series of twelve by the author, all of which follow the same theme. It tells the story of children’s outdoor adventures in the Lake District – the Walker children, who sail a dinghy named Swallow, and the Blackett children, who sail a dinghy named Amazon. 

From the same vendor, the second book in the series, entitled ‘Swallowdale’, is also to be found in the auction and this too is a first edition in excellent condition.

Today, the term ‘Swallows and Amazons’ is used as an integral part of our English language and is synonymous with idyllic country childhoods full of exciting adventures.  The book is still in print today, and remains popular with children and adults alike.

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