"THAT HUMPERDINK! I DON’T KNOW WHY BUT SOMEHOW I DON’T LIKE THAT GUY"
(SEUSS, Dr.) LESIEG, Theo. Hooper Humperdink…? Not Him! New York: Beginner Books, (1976). Octavo, original glazed pictorial boards, decorative endpapers. $1450.
First edition of the adventures of "the biggest gang you'll ever see," with text by Dr. Seuss and festive, full-color illustrations by Charles E. Martin.
When Ted Geisel contributed text but not illustrations to the Beginner Books-usually titles, he once explained, that called "for more human characters than animals, and I've always been more comfortable with animals" (Cohen, 342)-he wrote under the name "Theo LeSieg." Certainly, Hooper Humperdink? features a host of human characters—"All my good friends from A to Z!"—who are invited to an extravagant party like none other. As issued without dust jacket. Younger & Hirsch 29.
A fine copy.