DAHL, Roald. The Gremlins. From the Walt Disney Production. A Royal Air Force Story by Flight Lieutenant Roald Dahl. NY: Random House [1943]. 4to, [52]pp. Red cloth spine stamped in black with color pictorial boards. Pictorial endpapers; one double-page and 12 full-page color illustrations and b&w illustrations on every other page. Corners and lower spine ends lightly rubbed, upper edge less so, discoloration to first three sheets due to something being laid in, gift inscription on front free endpaper, else a clean, bright copy in original color pictorial dust jacket (edges a bit worn, areas have been inexpertly mended and repainted to hide damage).

First edition. Roald Dahl’s first published book! The story of Gus, a British World War II fighter pilot, who during the Battle of Britain turned to look out on the wing of his plane only to see an amazing sight: a little man, no more than six inches tall with horns growing from his head, drilling a hole in the plane's wing. Gus was the first man to ever see a Gremlin, and what happened after that would change the war, and the world, forever. Bought by Walt Disney to be produced as an animated motion picture, the project was ultimately shelved. Ironically, a Buggs Bunny cartoon with gremlins was released in 1943 as well.