The Story of Ferdinand.

LEAF, Munro; Illustrated by Robert Lawson.

$25,000.00

Item Number: 147285

New York: The Viking Press, 1936.

First edition, first printing, advance review copy of Munro Leaf’s beloved children’s classic, one of the most popular and enduring children’s books ever published. Octavo, original half tan cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated by Robert Lawson. Signed by both the author and illustrator opposite the title page, “Robert Lawson” “and Munro Leaf.” From the library of American publisher Charles C. Fleming with a memorandum on his Whittet Printing Co. letterhead to the front free endpaper, stamped “Received Sep 23 1936 C.C.F.” indicating that the book was received in the month of publication which is stated on the copyright page. The first print run of The Story of Ferdinand by Viking in September 1936 sold 14,000 copies priced at $1.00. The following year saw sales increase to 68,000 by 1938, selling roughly 3,000 copies per week. That year, it outsold Gone with the Wind to become the number one best seller in the United States. Very good in a near fine first issue dust jacket with the price of $1.00 on the front flap. Exceptionally rare, we have never seen another advance review copy.

"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.