Wodehouse, P.G. Original dustwrapper artwork for the first UK edition of “Service With A Smile”.  Herbert Jenkins, London 1962.    

Original dustwrapper art painted on a board. The image measures 6 1/4” x 7 3/4” (including the spine) expanding to 8 5/8” x 10 1/2” with the surrounding white board. A draft version of the iconic image of Uncle Fred riding on the back of the Empress of Blandings, this image has been painted in orange, black and white with white lettering (without title), whereas the final image used on the published jacket is coloured turquoise, pink, black and grey with white lettering used for Wodehouse’s name and black lettering for the title. There are two thin plastic overlay sheets, one with the book title and the other with an additional sketch in black profile. There are holograph notes of a technical nature in pencil on both images. Also included is original artwork painted on thick card of the near-finished jacket itself measuring 13” x 7 1/2”and folded at the spine in an attempt to replicate the finished jacket’s dimensions (there is a pencil sketch of these dimensions on the rear panel). Close scrutiny reveals small differences with between this version and the finished jacket. Both images are attractive and Near Fine.                                             

Price £850