The Story of Ferdinand.

LEAF, Munro. Illustrated By Robert Lawson.

Item Number: 108620

New York: The Viking Press, 1936.

First edition of Munro Leaf’s beloved children’s classic. Octavo, original half tan cloth over illustrated boards, pictorial endpapers. Illustrated by Robert Lawson. Presentation copy, inscribed by both the author and illustrator opposite the title page in the year of publication, “To Beck and I hope she’ll like it Robert Lawson Aug. 29. 1936” and “‘Me too’ Munro Leaf.” Laid in is the original transmittal autograph letter signed and entirely in the hand of Robert Lawson on his personal letterhead which reads in full, “Dear Frank thanks for your nice note and Becky for hers – I am very proud that you all saw my show & still more so that you liked it. I hope the general public does the same. All the reviews so far have been very complimentary although no one has burst any blood vessels. The Times was taken dull, but the Post had just a shade on them for dumbness. However it was meant to be nice so I shouldn’t complain. Also etching is a very slow & conventional profession in which a display of enthusiasm on the part of anyone, even to artist in his work, is often frowned upon, which is one reason why the profession is, on the whole, so frightfully stuffy. We enjoyed our visit with you so much, it was great fun to see you all again. Marie has had a slight cold for the last few days but is now recovering. We hope to take a cruise somewhere the last of next week, but don’t know how just, when, where and most of all how. Best to Becky & Bob. Sincerely, R.L.” In the early 1930s before he began to focus exclusively on children’s books, Lawson became interested in etching and proved skilled enough to receive the John Taylor Arms Prize from the Society of American Etchers in 1931. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Very good in a very good price-clipped dust jacket with the $1 present on the rear flap. One of the most sought after children’s books of the twentieth century, particularly scarce and desirable signed by Leaf and Lawson.

"This is perhaps one of the finest 20th-century examples of the inspired wedding of a text and illustrations to make a children’s book that as a whole is even greater than the sum of its parts-which are in themselves very fine indeed. The simple, delightful Leaf story about a Spanish bull who prefers the fragrance of flowers to the roar of the bull-ring is lovingly illustrated by Robert Lawson. The overworked word ‘classic’ is well deserved here. Children have adored The Story of Ferdinand ever since the book was published" (Early Children’s Books and Their Illustrations). Translated into over 60 languages, Munro Leaf's classic became a number one bestseller in 1938 and has never gone out of print since. Despite its beloved place in children's literature, the book was banned in many countries including Spain and Nazi Germany who denounced it as a pacifist work and 'democratic propaganda.' Following the 1945 defeat of Germany during the Second World War, 30,000 copies were published to be given to the children of Germany in an effort to encourage peace. The book was adapted by Walt Disney into the classic short animated film Ferdinand the Bull in 1938, and more recently into the feature-length computer animated film, Ferdinand, produced by 20th Century Fox Animation.