London, Allen Lane/Penguin, 1967. The first British edition of Thompson's first book, which he wrote after spending a year with members of the famous motorcycle gang, and ended up getting beaten up by several of them. An early example of the participatory "gonzo journalism" that Thompson pioneered and later perfected. Signed by Thompson in full on the dedication page, with the additional notation "WC 0904" -- i.e., Woody Creek, September, 2004. Also signed by Ralph Steadman, "in honor of my friend who tried to be a biker but preferred fame and a wheelchair kitchen command centre," with an original Steadman drawing of Thompson on a scooter on the title page. Thompson at one point thought that the British edition had only been issued in paperback, as he had never seen a hardcover of it; this is probably his scarcest trade edition, and signed copies are virtually unknown. Foxing to cloth; near fine in a near fine, mildly rubbed dust jacket with some foxing to the flap folds. In a custom clamshell case. [#029006] SOLD