Open House for Butterflies

[New York]: Harper & Brothers, 1960. First Edition. Hardcover. Near fine/very good. First printing, sixteenmo size, [48] pp. Ruth Ida Krauss (1901-1993), renowned author of children's literature, is perhaps best remembered for "The Carrot Seed" (published 1945, included in Loker, "A Shimmer of Joy", pp. 148-149) and "A Hole is to Dig" (published 1952); the latter title was a collaboration between Krauss and Sendak, as is this volume.

Illustrated by Maurice Sendak (1928-2012), a children's book author and illustrator best known for the enduring story "Where the Wild Things Are" (published 1964), among almost countless others. Sendak's illustrations have a charming magic in their depiction of childhood and its joys.

___DESCRIPTION: Bound in illustrated paper over boards, black cloth spine, decorated endpapers, title page in brown and black with a vignette by Sendak, every page with line drawings by Sendak and the corresponding text in brown; sixteenmo size (6 11/16" by 5 3/8"), unpaginated with twenty-four leaves. Publisher's dust jacket has the original price of $1.50, illustration on the front panel mirrors the front board, black lettering on the spine, small vignette by Sendak on the back panel (which also mirrors the back board), publisher's codes on bottom of the front flap of "30-70" and "No. 9429A"; corresponding code on bottom of back flap of "No. 9430A" above which are the four review blurbs.

___CONDITION: Volume is near fine, with clean boards, straight corners with minimal rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and the sole prior owner marking we see a first name ("Susie" with three dots to either side) in black ink at the top of the front free endpaper; some light rubbing to the bottom edges of the boards, head and tail of the spine. The unclipped dust jacket a solid very good, all component parts present and securely attached, light overall soil, and one small stain (on the top of the front panel), spine somewhat sunned, minor overall wear most noticeable at head and tail.

___CITATION: Hanrahan no. A39.

___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.

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