ADAMS, Richard (1920-2016). Watership Down. London: Rex Collings, 1972. 8vo. With folding map. Original cloth; publisher's dust jacket. FIRST EDITION. Adams's first novel Watership Down was initially turned down by the major publishing houses, before publication by Rex Collings in 1972, and it was quickly established as a major work of British post-war literature. Sales exceeded 100,000 copies in the first year, and Adams was awarded both the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Award for children's fiction. It was the source of numerous adaptations for film and television. A VERY FINE COPY.