Hector Malot (1830-1907) was a prolific writer of children's stories who penned some of the great popular classics of French literature. His children's classics were stellar examples of a genre that extolled the ideal of the noble child who overcomes adversity through right-mindedness, honesty and loyalty--behavior so dear to the hearts of parents of every country & epoch. From the introduction to the American edition of his 1869 novel, Ronnie: "Noble character, richly honest purpose and loyal endeavor shine through the pages of this book, brushing aside hardship and peril to mark Ronnie as a lively, inspiring boy who will long be remembered."
Malot's photograph seems to me to project the forlorn appeal of his young characters.
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NOBODY'S GIRL (Deluxe Edition 1929)
New York: Cupples & Leon Company. 1929. Deluxe Edition of the first American edition of 1922. Originally published in France in 1893 as En Famille. A companion to the deluxe edition of Nobody's Boy, 1930. Translated & adapted by Florence Crewe Jones. Eight vibrant color illustrations by Thelma Gooch. 9 ½" tall x 7 ⅛ " wide. 318 pages. Red cloth binding with a subtle grain, an inset paste-down cover illustration of a young, innocent-looking, slightly raggedy waif cast out of a distant village & alone in the world. Cover slightly worn with a bit of rubbing to corners & a tiny corner tear. Raised gilt titles on the cover are bright. Spine has a few small spots & gilt a bit dulled.Hinge between dedication & half-title pages slightly loose w/a small amount of light staining. VG+. Neat original owner's dedication opposite half-title page. This book is for sale on my website: Old Ink Inc Rare Books.
NOBODY'S BOY (Deluxe Edition 1930)
Publisher: Cupples & Leon Company, New York, 1930. First published in France in 1878 as Sans Famille. This Deluxe Edition of the first American edition of 1922. Translated & adapted by Florence Crewe Jones, with eight charming, richly rendered color illustrations by Thelma Gooch. A companion to the deluxe edition of Nobody's Girl, 1929. 9 ½" tall x 7 ⅛" wide, 333 pages. Brown textured cloth cover with a large paste-down inset cover illustration of raggedy boy trodding the cobblestones of a village, his only companions three dogs & a monkey in a little red jacket who sits on his shoulder. Cover is slightly worn with minor rubbing to the corners & gilt letters. Spine is clean with slightly faded gilt. Binding tight. Neat original owner's dedication opposite half-title page. VG+. This book is for sale on my website: Old Ink Inc Rare Books.
RONNIE (1st American Edition)
New York: Cupples & Leon Company, New York. 1937. First American edition.Originally published in France in 1869 as Les adventures de Romaine Kalbris. Hardcover. Blue cloth boards with color medallion of a boy pasted down & inset on cover. Four black & white illustrations by Thelma Gooch. Translated & adapted from the French by Florence Crewe-Jones. Sunning to the spine & minor exterior edge wear, rubbing & soiling. Original owner's name faded & in a childish script on inside of front cover. G+. For sale on my website.
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