Eloise: A Book for Precocious Grown Ups.
Thompson, Kay. Illustrated by Hilary Knight
Published by Simon & Schuster, New York, 1955
Used
Hardcover
From
Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
AbeBooks Seller since September 24, 2003
This specific copy is no longer available. Here are our closest matches for Eloise: A Book for Precocious Grown Ups. by Thompson, Kay. Illustrated by Hilary Knight.
About this Item
Description:
First edition of the first book in Kay Thompson's beloved Eloise series. Quartos, original boards, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Boldly signed by both the author and illustrator on the front free endpaper, "Kay Thompson AND HILARY KNIGHT WITH ME, ELOISE!" Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. An exceptional example, rare and desirable signed by both Thompson and Knight. American author, singer, and actress Kay Thompson began her career in the early 1930s as a choral director for radio and went on to become MGM Studios' top vocal arranger and coach to such stars as Judy Garland, Lena Horne, and Frank Sinatra. A resident of The Plaza Hotel in New York City, she became most notable for authoring the Eloise series of children's books, rumored to be inspired by the capers of her goddaughter, Liza Minnelli, daughter of personal friend Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli. Thomspon collaborated with American illustrator Hilary Knight to create the whimsical black, pink, and white theme that became a trademark of the illustrated series. All four books in the original series were bestsellers upon release, adapted into television projects, and a fifth installment, Eloise Takes a Bawth, was published posthumously from Thompson's original manuscripts. The series became so synonymous with The Plaza that an honorary portrait of Eloise was hung in the hotel's Palm Court and both an Eloise Suite and Eloise Menu have become special features at The Plaza. Seller Inventory # 133814
Bibliographic Details
Title: Eloise: A Book for Precocious Grown Ups.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, New York
Publication Date: 1955
Binding: Hardcover
Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
Signed: Signed by Author(s)
Edition: 1st Edition
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ELOISE A Book for Precocious Grown Ups
Published by
Simon & Schuster, New York NY, 1983
ISBN 10: 067122350X
ISBN 13: 9780671223502
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Gibson's Books, New Hope, AL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Illustrated by Hilary Knight (illustrator). Thirty-Fifth Printing. Very Good in Very Good dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 33337
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
ELOISE A Book for Precocious Grown Ups
Published by
Simon & Schuster, New York NY, 1955
ISBN 10: 067122350X
ISBN 13: 9780671223502
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Gibson's Books, New Hope, AL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Illustrated by Hilary Knight (illustrator). Eighth Printing. Good with no dust jacket; Previous owner taped spine with black tape. Fold out page of Elevator has also been black taped. Wear at edges. Previous owner's name. Reading copy. Seller Inventory # 27799
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
ELOISE A Book for Precocious Grown Ups
Published by
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York, 1983
ISBN 10: 067122350X
ISBN 13: 9780671223502
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Rare Book Cellar, Pomona, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Illustrated by Hilary Knight (illustrator). First Edition; Fifty-Seventh Printing. Near Fine in a Near Fine dust jacket. ; 68 pages. Seller Inventory # 319602
Quantity: 1 available
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Eloise: A Book for Precocious Grown ups, Eloise in Paris, Eloise at Christmastime.
Published by
Simon & Schuster 1955-1958, New York, 1955
Used
First Edition
Signed
Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
First editions of the first three books in Kay Thompson's beloved Eloise series. Quartos, 3 volumes, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Each volume lengthily inscribed by illustrator Hilary Knight, "for Henry with all the best from Hilary Knight and ME,ÂELOISEÂDec 15 2007" on the front free endpaper of Eloise:ÂA Book for Precocious Grown ups; "for Henry from Hilary Knight Dec 15 '07" on the verso of the front free endpaper of Eloise in Paris; and "for Henry! from Hilary Knight and ME,ÂELOISE!" on the front free endpaper of Eloise at Christmastime. Each volume is near fine in a very good dust jacket with light rubbing and wear. Rare and desirable. American author, singer, and actress Kay Thompson began her career in the early 1930s as a choral director for radio and went on to become MGM Studios' top vocal arranger and coach to such stars as Judy Garland, Lena Horne, and Frank Sinatra. A resident of The Plaza Hotel in New York City, she became most notable for authoring the Eloise series of children's books, rumored to be inspired by the capers of her goddaughter, Liza Minnelli, daughter of personal friend Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli. Thomspon collaborated with American illustrator Hilary Knight to create the whimsical black, pink, and white theme that became a trademark of the illustrated series. All four books in the original series were bestsellers upon release, adapted into television projects, and a fifth installment, Eloise Takes a Bawth, was published posthumously from Thompson's original manuscripts. The series became so synonymous with The Plaza that an honorary portrait of Eloise was hung in the hotel's Palm Court and both an Eloise Suite and Eloise Menu have become special features at The Plaza. Seller Inventory # 92481
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
Eloise: A Book For Precocious Grown Ups.
Published by
Simon and Schuster, New York, 1955
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Signed
Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
First edition of the sensational first book in Kay Thompson's immensely popular Eloise series. Quarto, original publisher's cream pictorial cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with drawings by Hilary Knight. Association copy, inscribed by the author, Kay Thompson, to the book's illustrator, Hilary Knight on the front free endpaper, "For my darling Hilary - My God ---- Can you even believe it --- Isn't it wonderful - Oh Hilary - I love you Kay and Me Eloize." In an interview with Sam Irvin, the recipient, American artist and illustrator Hilary Knight declared, "Eloise never would have happened as a book had it not been for D.D. Ryan badgering Kay and putting us together." Kay Thompson first created the character Eloise as a child, later using the persona to entertain friends. D.D. Ryan, a junior fashion editor at Harper's Bazaar and Thompsonâs friend, saw potential for a book adaptation, especially if the right illustrator was found. Ryan, who was neighbors with Knight, frequently received his drawings, one of which featured "a fat little prissy pretty girl with frizzy blonde corkscrews" that caught her attention. She arranged for the two to meet in December 1954, where Thompson was intrigued by Knightâs drawing: "The prissy one Kay would call Dorothy Darling," Knight explained, "The other suggested the wicked school girls of Ronald Searle." This meeting sparked one of the greatest writer-illustrator collaborations in American publishing, leading to the creation of Eloise. When conceiving Eloise,ÂThompsonÂand Knight culled from a variety of artistic and real-life sources. For her look, Knight looked to his artistic influences, including his own parents (artists in their own right), as well as illustrators such as Ernest Shepard, Edmund Dulac, and Louis-Maurice de Boutet Monvel.ÂThompsonÂwould later claim (and disclaim)ÂEloise was based on herself, but also drew inspiration from her many famous friends and theatrical colleagues. After their first meeting, Knight sent Thompson a Christmas card depicting "Eloise," which led Thompson to conclude, "I knew at once Hilary Knight had to illustrate the book" (Irvin, Kay Thompson, 2010). EloiseÂwas published in November 1955 and became an instant runaway sensation, selling over 40,000 copies by early the following year. The book eventually spawned four sequels by Knight andÂThompsonÂ(EloiseÂin Paris,ÂEloiseÂat Christmas,ÂEloiseÂin Moscow, andÂEloiseÂTakes a Bawth), a music record and televised play, as well as an abundance ofÂEloise-themed toys and merchandise. To date the book has sold more than two million copies. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. A unparalleled association copy. Eloise, written by Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Knight, was published in November 1955 and quickly became a runaway sensation, selling over 40,000 copies by the end of the following year. The bookâs mischievous protagonist, a six-year-old girl living in the Plaza Hotel, resonated with both children and adults, offering a fresh departure from traditional depictions of well-behaved children. Thompsonâs witty prose and Knightâs bold illustrations, combined with the glamorous setting, contributed to its widespread appeal. This initial success led to four sequelsâ"Eloise in Paris, Eloise at Christmas, Eloise in Moscow, and Eloise Takes a Bawthâ"as well as a vinyl record, televised play, and an array of toys and merchandise. To date, Eloise has sold over two million copies, solidifying its place as a cultural phenomenon and enduring classic in childrenâs literature. Seller Inventory # 149560
Quantity: 1 available