Original Production Materials for THE CIRCUS BABY
Two original drawings, as well as in-house related work product from the Macmillan publication of THE CIRCUS BABY (1950).
Overall very good.
Price: $850.00
Original Production Materials for THE CIRCUS BABY
Artists Maud and Miska Petersham first started illustrating children's books in the 1920s through the referral of Willy Pogany, a friend of Miska's and fellow Hungarian immigrant. By the '30s, their work was widely known and praised; in 1946, their book THE ROOSTER CROWS won the Caldecott medal. The Petershams' style would become a defining aesthetic of these decades, immediately identifiable—and colorful—books of optimism, education, and play.
The materials here were kept after production by the Macmillan Company (as a stamped card within clearly identifies). Along with two original pencil-and-ink drawings, there are two partial versions of the books in what appear to be proof states: one about the size of the final book, with a proof jacket, mostly complete; and a smaller group of six sheets, printed in a larger format, likely color tests. The accompanying folders have a few pencil notes dated 1951, almost certainly by a Macmillan employee tasked with organizing the files.
The Object
(New York): (The Macmillan Company), [1950]. Two pencil-and-ink drawings (4.5'' x 5.5'' and 3.75'' x 5.25'') with registration markings and clear plastic overlays signaling their use in production; one set of loose printed sheets (10.25'' x 8.25''), including dust jacket, lacking pages 7/8, 11/2, and 25/6 (final book contains 32 pages); second set of printed sheets (most 11.25'' x 9''), printed rectos only, duplicated notation "black page [#]" to some sheets; single card stamped "Property of the Macmillan Company." All housed in two paper folded envelopes with pencil annotations. Sold with a copy of the 1989 paperback Aladdin reprint of the book. Wear to envelopes, usual minor signs of use to material.
The Fine Print
We work hard to meet our ethical responsibility to describe our material accurately. All items are guaranteed as described and may be returned for any reason within 30 days. Please notify us before mailing a return.
We guarantee the authenticity of our items. All materials are original (meaning not facsimiles or reproductions) unless otherwise noted. First editions (meaning first edition, first printing) are explicitly stated. TPM is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and upholds their Code of Ethics.
All photographs are of the actual item for sale. We're happy to provide additional images on request.
All domestic orders ship gratis. For orders under $250, free USPS media mail shipping is included; orders $250 and over ship USPS Ground Advantage. International orders over $1000 also ship gratis. Expedited, overnight, as well as other carriers (UPS, Fed-Ex, etc.), may carry additional costs beyond quoted rates. All orders receive tracking information and a direct contact in case of any questions.
International buyers are responsible for any customs, taxes, and related import fees. Please note that we are unable to accomodate requests to misrepresent, misdeclare, or otherwise falsify customs documents when shipping internationally. We appreciate your understanding.
We accept all major credit cards, Paypal, Venmo, check, money order, and bank wire. We are happy to bill institutional buyers' needs. Sales tax will be added to applicable purchases. Items subject to prior sale.
If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase, please contact us. We prioritize our long-term relationships far above any individual purchase, and we want you to love your item as much as we loved cataloguing it.
