Audrey Adams's Copy of No Room to Swing a Cat by Ralph Steadman

Ralph Steadman, the ever-inventive illustrator, personalized a copy of No Room to Swing a Cat (1989) to his editor Audrey Adams. He turned her first name into a drawing of what is, very likely, a cat. The signature is dated the 15th of May, in the year, again very likely, 1989, when the hardback edition was first released.

Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks listing accessed February 20, 2025

https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/ROOM-SWING-CAT-STEADMAN-Ralph-London/30379160448/bd

Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks item description

04920

Ralph Steadman: No Room to Swing a Cat—But Room to Draw One

Meier and Sons Rare Books of New Canaan is offering a scarce original souvenir drawing from a copy of Ralph Steadman's No Room to Swing a Cat (1989, 1991).

Steadman made the drawing of a cat and signed it in 2006. It covers two pages, which were removed from the book together. 

The facing pages have been framed and glazed.

The drawing is made in black ink around a printed color half title.

A certificate of authenticity is included for those who value such things. I don't think the authorship is in question here.

 

As a collector, I prefer such drawings to remain between the covers, but then I am not the target audience. The price is $2,495 plus shipping. Again, I'm not the target audience.

Ralph Steadman

AbeBooks listing accessed April 19, 2025

https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/RALPH-STEADMAN--ORIGINAL-WHIMSICAL-INK-DRAWING/32181420331/bd?cm_ven=nl&cm_cat=trg&cm_pla=want_CM&ref_=pe_aep_AEP_wants_buyer-wants&cm_ite=viewbook#&gid=1&pid=1

Ralph Steadman

AbeBooks item description

For reference, here's an undated but intact copy previously sold on eBay. It is archived on WorthPoint here. I do not know for what price the book was sold.

And one more:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1st-ed-1991-signed-sketch-ralph-498030680

04919