My Friend Mr Leakey : Illustrations By Leonard Rosoman

The First UK printing published by The Cresset Press, London in 1937. The Book is in Very Good++ or better condition. Original green cloth with the spine lettered in silver. A tiny amount of fading to the spine tips, lower edges and corners. Mild pushing at the spine ends. Light toning to the text-block and a hint of toning to the extreme page edges. Free from inscriptions and erasures. The scarce WRAPPER is neatly clipped to the flaps and is in Very Good++ condition. The spine ends and upper corners are a little chipped and rubbed. The spine is toned and the wrapper is slightly spotted. A few small closed tears to the rear upper spine fold and to the front upper and lower rear edges. The Leonard Rosoman wrapper is striking in the removable Brodart archival cover. Wonderful illustrations throughout in B/W by Leonard Rosoman. A collection of fantasy stories for children by the eminent British scientist John Burdon Sanderson Haldane (1892-1964). Haldane was chiefly distinguished for his work in genetics, but also contributed to many other fields of science, ranging from cosmology to the physiology of diving. His intention in writing the book about Mr Leakey, a magician who lives in a London flat in company with his animal servants, was to demonstrate that science can be more exciting than magic ever was. 'The book is peppered with 'asides' on scientific topics. One of the best is the story of Mr Dobbs, who made a large income out of the railways 'by travelling with excess luggage', having devised special suitcases which rose in the air when weighed: 'You see, if your bag weight is a hundredweight more than it ought to you have to pay the railway company, but if it weighs a hundredweight less than nothing, they have to pay you.''(The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature, p. 368). A very uncommon original illustrated edition of the noted British scientist's only children's book. Collectible. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.