London: Faber Music Limited, 1973. First limited edition. Number one hundred and twenty of three hundred numbered and signed copies. This is a very near fine copy. Bound in half morocco over boards with gilt titling to the front panel and spine. The title to the front panel, Kinderkreuzzug, is the translated German title of this work. There is a very light handling mark to the front panel and incredibly sparse foxing to the side and bottom edge. Gilt top edge. It is boldly signed in black ink by Britten and Sidney Nolan to the colophon. Illustrated throughout by Sidney Nolan, with words by Bertolt Brecht and, of course, music by Benjamin Britten (Op. 82) here produced in facsimile. Housed in a custom slip case, and additional protective cardboard as issued by the publisher (it is stamped accordingly). Overall, this is a very near fine copy. Designed and printed by The Curwen Press. This edition was published by Faber & Faber to mark the occasion of the composer's sixtieth birthday, The music was written for the members of Wandsworth School Boys Choir to perform on the fiftieth anniversary of The Save the Children Fund at St. Paul s Cathedral on May 19th, 1969. In a note, Benjamin Britten writes that: 'The manuscript of Children's Crusade reproduced here represents the stage in evolution of the work when the music was complete in substance and outline and written out in the form of a condensed score, i.e., the orchestral part still awaits its detailed instrumental realisation.' An additional seven copies of this work were issued hors de commerce, and were marked H.C. and numbered I-VII. These were printed for those involved in the production of this edition.