Offered for sale is an incredibly rare first edition, first impression of “The Three Railway Engines”, the very first book in the Railway Series by the Rev. W. Awdry. This book contains the original illustrations by William Middleton, which were altered a few years later by C. Reginald Dalby. It comes complete with its original dustjacket, which has been price clipped. 

This first edition had a print run of just 3,000 copies. When you consider how many of these have lost their dustjackets, lost some pages, or ended up in landfill, you can get an idea of just how rare this is.  This is the very first impression, with a blank page after the final picture page - there is no advert for 'Thomas the Tank Engine' as that book had not been printed at this point.

Considering it is more than 75 years old, the book is in remarkably good condition. The binding is still relatively tight, and there are no loose or missing pages, and none have been taped back in. The pages are all clean and clear, and there is no handwriting or scribbles anywhere. Unlike many Railway Series books of this kind of age, the external hardcover is still all present, even over the spine.

It also comes complete with its original dustjacket. This is showing signs of wear along the edges, with some minor loss and short tears. It has also had some small repairs on the inside with tape, and some of the tracks on the picture have been drawn over in pen - please see the pictures. But again, considering its age it is in nice condition, and very few of these have survived at all, let alone in this condition.

All in all, this is a really nice copy of this virtually impossible to find edition, and is a must for a collector or fan.

Please feel free to ask any questions, and please take a look at my other items – including other Thomas / Railway Series memorabilia. I’m happy to combine postage for multiple purchases.