PUFFIN PICTURE BOOKS

Group of 9 titles, all fine copies in colored pictorial wrappers unless otherwise noted.

A series of brightly colored lithographed books inspired by those created for Soviet children during the 1920s and 1930s. They uniformly measure 180 x 224 mm and were initially intended to distract British children from the war, as the series began in 1940. A new low-cost but evocative printing technique called auto-lithography was employed, which involved the artist drawing or tracing with a brush and pen directly onto a zinc plate. Colored illustrations alternated back-to-back with black and white illustrations to maintain lower costs. The series proved a great success. Finding these examples in such fine condition from the earliest decade of Puffin makes this a rare opportunity to add examples to any collection of juvenile picture-books and toy books regardless of nationality.

#12. A Book of Rigmaroles or Jingle Rhymes by Enid Marx. [1945], reprint
#19. Marvelous Models by W J Bassett-Lowke & Paul B Mann. 1947, newly
revised 2nd edition (first printing thus).
#26. PUNCH & JUDY. Illustrated by Clarke Hutton [1942]. 1st edition
#36. Chiang Yee: The Story of Ming, circa 1945. 2nd edition
#52. Paper Birds by R B Talbot Kelly. July 1947, 1st edition. All cut-outs intact.
#61. The Arabs by R B Serjeant, illustrated by Edward Bawden. December 1947,
Deluxe version in hardback covers with added pictures. 1st edition
#72. The Story of Tea by Anne Skibulits, illustrated by Clarke Hutton. [1948].
1st edition.
Harlequin #9. HALE (Kathleen): Orlando's Invisible Pajamas [1947]. 1st edition
Puffin Cut-Out #5. PRIESTLEY (J B): The High Toby [November 1948].
Toy Theatre scenery and characters by Doris Zinkeisen. First edition, 2nd state
but without affixed price-sticker attached. All pages complete and intact.