THE STORY OF BABAR by De Brunhoff, Jean - 1933

New York: Harrison Smith and Robert Haas, 1933. Near fine.. First printing of the first edition in English of the first Babar book, reproducing the author's own color illustrations - an exceptionally nice copy. Published in the distinctive large - some might say elephant-sized - format of the French original, this edition introduced an English speaking audience to the international sensation. As Anita Silvey notes, Jean de Brunhoff's original inspiration came from his wife, who told stories about a little elephant to their children. Silvey also quotes Maurice Sendak in saying that the Babar books "forever changed the face of the illustrated book." An absolute classic, very scarce in this condition. 14.25'' x 10.25''. Original quarter light blue cloth, orange pictorial paper boards. Green pictorial endpapers. Illustrated by de Brunhoff in color on nearly every page. Translated by Merle Haas. 48 pages. Publisher's promotional slip laid in. Bookplate of Joe. E. Kennedy, designed by Rockwell Kent, on front pastedown. Only very light rubbing and edgewear to boards.