When the Wind Blows.

London: Hamish Hamilton,, 1982. First edition, second impression ("reprinted before publication"), presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, "For MARGERY FISHER With best wishes from Raymond Briggs 1983". The recipient was the literary critic and academic, Margery Fisher (1913-1992). Fisher wrote two influential and authoritative guides to children's literature: Intent Upon Reading (1962) and Matters of Fact (1972). She also published the journal Growing Point from 1962 until a few months before her death in 1992. Her papers are held in the Department of Special Collections, University of California. Briggs's comic strip tale of a nuclear attack on Britain, with the consequences of Jim and Hilda Bloggs taking advice from British propaganda pamphlets caused a media and political sensation on publication. Demand for the book was such that a reprint was required before publication and the book was the subject of a motion in the House of Commons. An article in The Times described the book as "a delightful cartoon strip about an elderly English couple dying from radiation sickness after nuclear attack". The book was adapted in a BBC radio drama (broadcast in February 1983) and an animated film in 1986. The soundtrack included contributions from David Bowie, Genesis, and Roger Waters. There was also a successful play, first staged at the end of 1983. Raymond Briggs (1934-2022) was an award-winning illustrator and cartoonist. Renowned for his subtle, thoughtful, and autobiographical style, his work "did a great deal to elevate the art of illustration to being something much more than a servant of the written word" (The Guardian). Quarto. Original illustrated boards, spine and front cover lettered in black. No dust jacket issued. Illustrated throughout in colour by Raymond Briggs. Head and foot of spine bumped, corners very slightly rubbed and bumped; a very good copy. John Vincent, "Putting the bomb under the Bloggses", The Times, 23 March 1983; The Guardian, 10 August 2022, accessible online.