The Firstborn (signed copy)

London: The Hogarth Press, 1964.

Presentation copy from Laurie Lee to the Hepple family, with inscription to the front endpaper, signed 'Laurie / Cathy & Jessie'. A fine copy in the excellent and unclipped dust-jacket. "My parents Norman and Jillie were great friends [of Laurie Lee] and both were members of the Chelsea Arts Club, which is probably where they met. When my parents were married at the Chelsea Town Hall in 1948, much to the confusion of the Press, my mother left on the arm of Laurie because my father had a job to do. My parents would also leave me and my older sister, Effie, to stay with Laurie and Cathy when they went on holiday, this would be around 1954-55. Cathy was childless at the time and only later had their daughter Jessie" - Tim Hepple. Tim is the son of Robert Norman Hepple RA RP (1908-94), English portrait painter, engraver and sculptor, known for his portraits of the Royal family. He was elected a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters in 1948 and served as their president from 1979 to 1983. Elected as an Associate Member to the Royal Academy of Arts in 1954, Hepple became an Academician in 1961. This book as purchased from Tim at the family home in Richmond.