Slovenly Peter [der Struwwelpeter] - Limited Edition
Binding: Decorative Cloth
Book Condition: Fine
Edition: Limited Edition; First Printing
Publisher: New York: Marchbanks Press, 1935.
Illustrator: Illustrated by Dr. Heinrich Hoffmann
Price: $354.38
Slovenly Peter [der Struwwelpeter] - Limited Edition
A beautiful Special Limited edition/ first printing in Fine condition, being # 1436 of only 1500 made for the members of The Limited editions Club in 1935. Printed on French-folded sheets. Decorative cloth, red morocco shelfback (BAL #3555) Illustrations are very bright, pages show only very little browning. While the original navy cloth slipcover shows considerable wear and tear with bumped corners and spine pulling away from boards, the book itself is exceptionally collectible and scarce in this condition.
In the foreword of this limited edition, Twain's daughter Clara explains the circumstances under which her father decided to translate into English the classic German children's book Der Struwwelpeter. Twain was intrigued by the jingles and illustrations about unruly children penned by general practitioner Dr. Heinrich Hoffmann and decided to very loosely "Americanize" the antics of the thumbsucking boy and the match playing little girl. Both Dr. Hoffmann and Twain recognized the dark side of childhood that only another child, whether German or American, can recognize.
Basis for Off-Broadway play titled "Shock Headed Peter" in 2003; 4to.
