The Story of Hendrik Willem Van Loon (with ephemera)

Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1972. Fine in a Very Good+ dustjacket. Bound in full red cloth. Both the spine and the decorative front board are stamped in gilt. Van Loon artwork-endpapers. xi, 399pps., plus sixteen pages of photos and illustrations. Stated First Edition.Includes original artwork (please read on). There is very mild rubbing to the spine-ends, otherwise clean, tight, square, and bright. All tips are sharp. The text is immaculate; no apparent reading wear and no previous ownership markings. The dustjacket, glossy in a mylar sleeve, is rubbed along the folds and has a touch of sunning to the spine; no chips, soiling, or tears. The original price is intact. Laid into the book are two envelopes addressed to Gerard (the author of this biography and the subject's son) -- then Lt. Gerard Van Loon -- in Washington, DC in September of 1943. The envelopes are embellished with original drawings that mimic the style of the illustrations in 'The Message of the Bells.' The first envelope is postmarked Sept. 27th 1943 addressed to Gerard Willem Van Loon at the Hotel Annapolis. This was stamped in at the hotel Sept 28th 8:06 AM 1943. This bears the drawing of a little man in a tall hat smoking a pipe in red, yellow and green. The back of the envelope is printed with the return address Nieuw Veere Old Greenwich Connecticut. There is a further imprint of a coat of arms or emblem in black and white on the flap. The second envelope is postmarked September 21st 1943, no reception stamp, also addressed to Lt. Van Loon at the Hotel Annapolis. This is embellished with a drawing of the same little man, in black and white lying against a shaving brush, hightlighted in yellow. In all, quite an arresting biography which includes charming, one-of-a-kind artwork. ".This richly textured, tightly woven biography is unusual for several reasons, not the least of which is the author's identity. Hendrik Willem's son tells his father's story with unvarnished objectivity, with love and compassion, with humor and brilliance. Moreover, Gerard van Loon has recreated his father's life and times and the marvelous galaxy of his friends and associates in a work that has the pace and intensity of a major novel. It is, in the words of Leon Shimkin, 'a wonderful recollection of the early years of book publishing and a magnificent story of a very extraordinary person'." Purchase with confidence: all books, gradings, and descriptions are rendered the care of a genuine bibliophile. Satisfaction guaranteed or all costs you've incurred will be refunded. Thanks for your interest in Nooks Of Books. To assist with your decision, photos can be emailed upon request.. First Edition. Cloth.