99 “All The Christmases Roll Down Toward The Two-Tongued Sea…” 138THOMAS, Dylan. A Child’s Christmas in Wales. Norfolk, Connecticut, 1955. 12mo, original cream paper boards, dust jacket. $550 First separate edition of Thomas’ beloved Christmas story. Published the year after its first appearance in the short story collection Quite Early One Morning, and specially produced for sale at Christmastime 1955. Near-fine. Inscribed By Maurice Sendak 139 SENDAK, Maurice. Poster inscribed [“New York Is Book Country”]. New York, 1983. Chromolithographic poster, measuring 19 by 24 inches; handsomely framed, entire piece measures 20 by 25 inches. $2800 Chromolithographic poster, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, advertising the first annual “New York Is Book Country” festival in 1979, inscribed in the margin: “For Michael— Read Books! Maurice Sendak Oct-’79.” Sendak created this image in celebration of the annual “New York is Book Country” festival, an open-air celebration of literature with public readings, book signings, concerts, games and other festivities, all designed to support the New York City Public Library’s services to children. Fine. “Can’t You Let Yourself Believe In People Like Kris—In Fun And Joy And Love And All The Other Intangibles?” 140DAVIES, Valentine. Miracle on 34th Street. New York, 1947. Small octavo, original russet cloth, dust jacket. $1500 First edition of this modern Christmas classic. Based on Davies’ original story for “the United States Christmas movie” (Clute & Grant, 650)— starring Maureen O’Hara and Edmund Gwenn (who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Kris Kringle)— this book was rushed into publication in 1947 in order to coincide with the film’s debut that spring. Near-fine. “One Of The Most Famous 20th-Century Books Of All… A Must” 141 ELIOT, T.S. Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. London, 1939. Octavo, original yellow cloth, dust jacket. $4500 First edition of one of T.S. Eliot’s most popular books, one of only 3005 copies printed, in the original dust jacket designed and drawn by Eliot. “A classic from the day it was printed and today—partly because of the irrepressible musical, Cats—one of the most famous 20th-century books of all. This one is a must” (Joseph Connolly). The work was adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber into the musical Cats, which opened in the West End on May 11, 1981. Cloth with mild toning to spine, dust jacket with a bit of toning, faint staining to front panel, expert restoration to spine head.
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