“ANNIE, YOU’RE A WONDER… THE BEST TROUPER ANY CIRCUS EVER HAD!”

GRAY, Harold. Little Orphan Annie and Jumbo, the Circus Elephant. Chicago: Pleasure Books, (1935). Slim, square octavo, original printed pictorial paper boards, pictorial pop-up endpapers. $1500.

First edition, with numerous in-text black-and-white illustrations and three two-page color “pop-ups” (two of which serve as endpapers) in excellent, working condition.

From her debut in the funny pages of the Chicago Tribune in 1924, Harold Gary's irrepressibly optimistic orphan won legions of devoted readers. In this delightfully illustrated adventure, boasting three two-page color "pop-up" spreads (two of which serve as endpapers), Annie and her loyal dog Sandy save a troubled big top boss from the machinations of a local mob, as well as his patrons from a potentially deadly elephant stampede. Published the same year with a New York (Blue Ribbon Books) imprint (see Montanaro, 244). Contemporary owner gift inscription in margin of first pop-up. Small early price sticker on corner of first pop-up.

Only a couple tiny spots to background of final pop-up, pop-ups intact and beautiful, only minor soiling to boards. A near-fine copy.