Butterflies in Britain, signed by the author and Denis Wirth-Miller

Chopping, Richard

Published by Puffin, 1943

About this Item

London: Puffin, 1943. First edition, first printing. This is a very good copy. Hardcover, which, as indicated by Chopping s inscription, has been rebound by him. As a result, there are two adhesive marks toward the hinges on both sides, and if any title to the spine existed previously, it does not now. Chopping, known for his illustration, is perhaps not known as a book binder for this reason. Despite that, it was rebound to present to a friend of his (provenance on request). The covers are slightly toned and show signs of handling. The internals, however, are pristine. The endpapers are magnificent, depicting yet more butterflies. It is inscribed by Chopping to the full title page in blue ink, it reads: rebound for an old friend, Richard Chopping . This copy is also signed by Denis Wirth-Miller in black ink. The connection between this title and Wirth-Miller is a mystery to me, but it is known that the pair were good friends and eventually became less famed for their art than for their furious rows. Overall, this is an incredible copy of an increasingly un-common title, to be rebound and inscribed by the author, and to be additionally signed by renowned artist Wirth-Miller makes it a genuine rarity. Richard Chopping s first book, which according to the blurb of Mister Postlethwaite s Reindeer, marked him a brilliant natural history student . Wirth-Miller met Chopping in 1937, who had worked for an interior design magazine. The two men entered a lifelong and notoriously combative relationship and were the first couple to enter a civil partnership in Colchester. They became part of the Fitzrovian set alongside other queer painters such as John Minton and the Roberts Colquhoun and MacBryde. He became close to Francis Bacon, and the pair worked closely together, and at times pursued similar subjects and at times, even seemed to have worked on each other s paintings.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1748951048304

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Butterflies in Britain, signed by the author and Denis Wirth-Miller
• Publisher: Puffin
• Publication Date: 1943
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)