[CHILDREN'S BOOK]. Little Slam Bang (i.e. Slambang the Elephant)

Chicago: P.F. Volland Co, 1928. First Edition. Near Fine. Square 8vo. 39 pp. (small tears in lower margins of pp. 29-32). Original illustrated boards (insignificant smudging on back cover), green cloth spine. NEAR FINE CONDITION. Original illustrated box, reproducing front cover of the book (slight soiling on top and botton, edges a bit scuffed, NOT split or torn). Very good condition. Preserved in a orange-red cloth protective case. BEAUTIFUL COPY IN THE ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATED BOX, RARE THUS. Helen Vanderveer's enchanting story of Slambang (sic), a baby elephant, who chases his friend Wiggley Tail, a monkey, into the jungle. They soon realize that the grim tiger Old Sharptooth is charging them and Slambang races as fast as he could through the jungle. Old Sharptooth almost catches him, but Slambang's mother and father flatten Old Sharptooth "into a beautiful, flat tiger rug." Meanwhile, Slambang has been hiding in the water, using his long trunk as a snorkle. The reader is informed that, having faked his nap, and racing into the jungle, Slambang should have received a spanking, but in this instance no spanking was necessary: the lesson he learned is going to be lifelong!

The illustrator, Fletcher C. Ransom (1870-1943) studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and at the New York Academy of Art in New York City. He maintained a studio in Greenwich village before relating to Joliet, Illinois. Ransom's festive style of illustration proved popular and his commercial illustrations were published widely in the United States and in Britain. Ransom illustrated another Volland children's book, likewise published in 1928 (and also written by a woman), namely "Three Wise Old Couples.