Swallows and Amazons First edition July 1930

Jonathan Cape, London - hardback

Dedicated to "The Six for whom it was written in exchange for a pair of slippers". The original draft illustrations by Steven Spurrier, now in the Brotherton Library, Leeds, were never used in this un-illustrated edition (apart from two maps). Ransome felt that Spurrier was competent enough drawing landscapes but that the drawings of the children did not fit the character of the writing. It was soon clear that further editions would be more popular with illustrations and therefore included those of Clifford Webb.

Copies of this edition are increasingly difficult to come by, especially with dust-wrappers. One would certainly have to pay a substantial amount for a good copy. In December 1999 one was advertised at £6000.