Masquerade : Inscribed By The Author To The Publisher Tom Maschler : With The Very Scarce Publisher's Promotional Poster by Williams, Kit - 1979: A Wonderful Association Copy

The First UK printing published by Jonathan Cape in 1979. The BOOK is in Very Good++ or better condition with just one very light mark to the fore-edge of one text page. The book has been inscribed by the author to the title page: 'To Tom, on 'its' birthday, friday 12 March 1982, it's all up, Kit'. The recipient was Tom Maschler and bears his Quentin Blake designed bookplate to the lower front pastedown. With the very scarce publisher's promotional poster (63 x 41cm) which is in Very Good condition but has been folded and has creasing, nicks to the edges and some tape repairs to the edges (see images). 'Challenged by Tom Maschler, of the British publishing firm Jonathan Cape, to 'do something no one has ever done before' with a picture book, Williams set out in the 1970s to create a book of paintings that readers would study carefully rather than flip through and discard. The book's objective, the hunt for a valuable treasure, became his means to this end' (Wiki). The book sparked a nation-wide treasure hunt for a jewelled gold hare, made by the author/artist and buried in a secret location. Readers were encouraged to solve clues in the book's illustrations to find the treasure. A winner, announced in 1982, was later exposed as a fraud. The story of the scandal was featured in a TV documentary, 'The Man Behind the Masquerade', in 2009. The gold hare is now on display at the V&A Museum, London. The author's inscription refers to the fact that the Hare had been found! This year marks the 40th anniversary of the book launch. A wonderful association copy. No Jacket as issued. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.