Babar's Anniversary Album: 6 Favorite Books [FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING] [50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION]

De Brunhoff, Jean; De Brunhoff, Laurent; Sendak, Maurice (introduction)

Published by Random House, New York, 1981

About this Item

Fine unread condition oversized (folio, just over 12 inches tall) orange cloth boards with multi-colored front cover illustration and black and white spine lettering contained in a very good condition non price-clipped color illustrated dust jacket. Includes Introduction entitled: Homage to Babar on His 50th Birthday by Maurice Sendak. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white photographs, nearly two hundred full-color drawings from the original books, plus full-color front and rear endpaper drawings. A neatly printed vintage Christmas 1982 gift inscription at the upper left corner of the half title page. A few 1/16th inch closed tears at the lower front and rear jacket edges and a 1/2 inch repaired closed tear at lower rear jacket spine edge, each of which have been carefully repaired (see photographs). All pages are in fine condition and the spine is in exceedingly tight and square unread condition. Stories are as follows: The Story of Babar; The Travels of Babar; Babarr the King; Babar's Birthday Surprise; Babar's Mystery; and Babar and the Wully-Wully. First edition, first printing thus. "Fifty years ago a little elephant walked out of the jungle and found his way to Paris, where he bought himself a becoming green suit, a pair of shoes with spats, and a black derby hat. Since that time Babar's travels have taken him all over the world. He has become the proud father of three children, the benign head of a harmonious (and lively) kingdom, and a familiar and well-loved character to children everywhere. In celebration of Babar's fiftieth anniversary, Random House takes pleasure in presenting six of the favorite Babar books in one richly illustrated volume. Included are the first three stories by Jean de Brunhoff, the creator of Babar: The Story of Babar, The Travels of Babar, and Babar the King. And three beloved stories by Jean's son Laurent de Brunhoff, who began writing and illustrating Babar stories after his father's death: Babar's Birthday Surprise, Babar's Mystery, and Babar and the Wully-Wully. Illustrated with nearly two hundred full-color drawings from the original books, this jumbo collection of tried-and-true stories is a treasury of read-aloud literature for the very young. The volume also includes a loving and perceptive introduction by Maurice Sendak and a photo story by Laurent de Brunhoff in which photos from his family's album and studies from his father's and his own sketchbooks provide a fascinating personal view into the world of Babar. Since Babar was first created our world has changed dramatically. But from Jean de Brunhoff's first story to the stories still being created by Laurent de Brunhoff, there is a sensibility that speaks to the civilized and loving needs in all of us that never change. To this unique spirit of affirmation and delight there is only one thing left to say: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABAR!" -- from the inner front jacket flap. Seller Inventory # 006836

Bibliographic Details

Title: Babar's Anniversary Album: 6 Favorite Books ...

Publisher: Random House, New York

Publication Date: 1981

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

Edition: 1st Edition