Kiss Kiss

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1960 First edition, “first and second printings before publication.” Inscribed by Dahl on front free endpaper: “For Erik Graham with best / wishes from / Roald Dahl.” Publisher’s lavender cloth, pink designs outlined in black to front board and spine, titles in pink and black, deckled fore edge of text block; original dust jacket designed by Charles E. Skaggs with blue and red hearts to front panel and spine, titles lettered in white, photo of Dahl and his wife taken by Eli Wallach to rear panel. Very good book with light toning to spine and edges, a bit of spotting to edges, and a small spot of light dampstaining to rear board; near fine unclipped dust jacket with light toning to spine, a 1” closed tear and a closed tear with a tiny nick to top edge of front panel, and 1” closed tear to top of rear flap hinge. Overall, a very attractive copy, scarce as inscribed by the author. Kiss Kiss brings together eleven of Roald Dahl’s short stories that were previously published in magazines including The New Yorker and Playboy. Best known for his timeless children’s books Matilda (1988) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964), this collection of short stories is decidedly for adults, featuring dark and twisted themes. Some stories, like “William and Mary” and “The Way Up to Heaven,” explore the deep resentments that can build up between married couples. “The Champion of the World” was later reworked by Dahl into the children’s book Danny, the Champion of the World (1975), which tells the story of a father and son who poach pheasants from wealthy Victor Hazell’s woods. It was included on Time magazine’s list of the 100 Best Young-Adult Books of All Time.. Signed by Author. Hard Cover. Very Good/Dust Jacket Included.