PUMPKIN MOONSHINE

London New York Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1938. First edition. Near fine in near fine jacket.. First printing of Tudor's first book, inscribed to her niece Sylvie Ann, the model and namesake of Sylvie Ann in the book, and accompanied by two letters describing the gift and receipt of the book by Tudor and Sylvie Ann's mother respectively. On the dedication page the printed text reads: "A wee story for a very sweet wee person." This is continued in Tudor's hand: "called Sylvie Ann, with just no end of love from her Aunt Tasha. This book was supposed to be your Christmas present for last year, but I couldn't send it 'till now as it had to be printed. 1938." In the printed "This Book Belongs To" box on the front pastedown, Sylvie Ann has written her name in childish script.

The book is accompanied by two amazing letters: the first is a 2-page letter by Tudor to Sylvie Ann, that refers to PUMPKIN MOONSHINE as a gift for her. Dated Dec. 6, 1942, it reads: "Happy Birthday Dearest Sylvie!! I am afraid this will not reach you on December 12th but we will all be thinking of you. I wish we could send more than a card but the mailing problem is difficult. Seth and Bethany send their love to their cousin Sylvie Ann. Seth weighs 13 1/2 pounds and is very sweet. Bethany is such a big girl, it is hard to realize that she will soon be the age and size that you were when first I met you and drew pictures for Pumpkin Moonshine. How time flies! To think you are a whole year older! Kiss your Mommy for us all, Much love and the best of wishes, Tom and Tasha and Bethany and Seth."

The second letter is a thank-you note from Sylvie Ann's mother to Tudor soon after receiving this copy, effusively praising it as "absolutely the most touchingly simple and quaint little creation. The love & care you gave it are evident in every detail." She continues (in part): "Sylvie is quite too thrilled over it. She reads it out loud, re-reads it, re-reads passages out loud, shouting them gleefully." Included is a transcription by Tudor's biographer, Harry Davis.

A holy grail copy: the touchstone of any Tudor collection, and an exceptional example for any major children's book collection. 4.75'' x 4''. Original polka-dot patterned boards. Original unclipped ($.75) dust jacket. Color pictorial endpapers. Illustrated by Tudor with full-page color images facing calligraphic text. [42] pages. Inscribed by Tudor on the dedication page. Ink name in child's script on front pastedown printed bookplate: "Sylvie Ann Wallace." Accompanied by two letters: (1) from Tudor to Sylvie Ann, written on a 2-page printed card with a color illustration of a little girl; (2) from Sylvie Ann's mother to Tudor, written on both sides of 6 leaves. Cloth faded at edges; jacket with only light browning on edge of inner flaps and small abrasion on spine effecting the "x" in Oxford, otherwise beautiful with no fraying or tears.