The Overloaded Ark.

First edition of the Book Society edition of Durrell's first book. Octavo, original green cloth, top stain blue. Boldly signed by Gerald Durrell on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Illustrated by Sabine Baur. Signed bookplate of John Drinkall, who was a distinguished British diplomat whose career in the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office included service as Ambassador to Afghanistan (1972–1976) and later as High Commissioner to Jamaica, with additional non-resident responsibility as Ambassador to Haiti (1976–1981). His postings placed him in politically significant environments—including China, Egypt, and Afghanistan—where he witnessed major geopolitical transitions firsthand. Uncommon signed.