Slovenly Peter (der Struwwelpeter), or, Happy Tales and Funny Pictures, Freely Translated into English by Mark Twain
New York: Harper & Brothers, 1935. Kredel, Fritz. Second Edition. Hardcover. Harper code "L-K", octavo size, 32 pp. Near fine / very good. Item #17042801
A classic German children's tale originally published in 1845 (with corresponding politically-incorrect racial allusions), comprised of ten illustrated and rhymed stories, mostly about children. Each has a clear moral that demonstrates the disastrous consequences of misbehavior in an exaggerated way (N.B., from Wiki). Mark Twain lived in Berlin, Germany, with his family in 1891; funds were tight and so, as a Christmas present to his three children Twain translated this classic tale. The original illustrations were adapted by Fritz Kredel, the result being this charming, although somewhat scary (as with many of the old folk tales) children's book.
___DESCRIPTION: Cream colored pictoral paper boards with vignette of main character on the front, publisher's device on title page, three-page introduction by Mark Twain's daughter, Clara Clemens, full colour illustrations on every page; octavo size (approximately 9" tall), unpaginated with 16 leaves, hand-set Lutetia type by the Golden Hind Press, New Jersey, printed and bound by the Haddon Craftsmen for the publisher. Dust jacket mirrors the binding, the front flap shows the original $1.50 price, summary of the book on both flaps, publisher's ad for other Mark Twain children's books on the back panel.
___CONDITION: Volume is near fine, the binding is clean, the text block is strong and square, it has solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and it is entirely free of prior owner markings; only condition issue we see is slight wear to head and tail of spine. The unclipped dust jacket is very good minus; it is entire but has overall soiling including a light circular old dampstain to the front panel, minor overall edgewear with some larger chips out of the head and tail of the spine.
___CITATION: Johnson p. 109 for the first edition, published by the Limited Editions Club in the same year, 1935.
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Price: $150.00