Madeline

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1939. Full Description:

BEMELMANS, Ludwig. Madeline. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1939.

First edition, first state (with twelve girls in "They went home and broke their bread" illustration and 1939 below Simon and Schuster on title-page). In First issue dust-jacket with $2.00 price on front flap. Illustrated by the author. Quarto (12 x 9 inches; 303 x 228 mm). [48] pp.

Also included is a Christmas Card from the Lee Walps family with a picture of Madeline entitled "Madeline and Spring" which was printed with the permission of Mrs. Bemelmas. The blurb on the card reads: "Madeline and Spring' was especially drawn by Ludwig Bemelmans for the Lee Walp Family Collection. This collection currently includes first editions of all juvenile publications by this author-illustrator except 'Fifi.' We wish to thank Mrs. Ludwig Bemelmans (the original Madeline) for permission to reproduce her husband's original illustration."

Original pictorial printed paper over boards. Book with some minor shelf wear and rubbing at corners and head and tail of the spine. A small bump to the bottom of both front and back board. Jacket has some rubbing and a few tiny closed tears along top an bottom edge and spine. Inside of jacket almost invisibly reinforced along edges and spine. Jacket spine a bit darkened. A highly desirable copy of this beloved children's classic, in better condition than usually found.

"This book is known as Madeline and you will fine it very fine. It's much more fun than any toys, for little girls and little boys. Its heroine as you will see, lives in a place pronounced Paree; which gives you quite a splendid chance to learn the ways of Paris, France. Madeline has lots of friends, and plays with them until day ends. She has an appendectomy, and still the book ends happily. Of fun and pictures, it's a mine- for goodness' sake read Madeline!" (front the front flap)

HBS 68843.

$3,250.