A Thurber Garland.

London: Hamish Hamilton,, 1955. First edition, first impression. Presentation copy from the author to fellow writers Peter de Vries and Katinka Loeser, inscribed on the front free endpaper verso, "To the Katinkas from the Helens", and on the lid of the box, more legibly (probably the hand of his wife), "Katinka and Pete from Jim and Helen". A Thurber Garland - or "weedy bouquet" as Thurber prefers in the Foreword - prints 28 cartoons that had previously appeared in the New Yorker; this was their only book publication. Peter De Vries was a friend and colleague of Thurber's, a prolific writer and satiric wit who had joined the New Yorker on Thurber's insistence. He married Katinka Loeser, also a New Yorker contributor, in October 1943. A highly appealing provenance. Oblong duodecimo. Original pictorial boards printed in black, green and orange, illustrated endpapers. With the original buff card box with white paper label printed in brown to lid and 5'- price sticker to base. Illustrated by the author. A few faint spots to boards, light sporadic foxing and a few finger marks to contents, one inner hinge starting but still holding firm. An excellent copy in a slightly soiled box with gift inscription to lid and small buff paper repairs to split corners.