Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - June - 2009 Issue

Six Hundred Children's Books from Aleph-Bet Books

Letter from L. Frank Baum on his "Ozcot" stationary.

Letter from L. Frank Baum on his "Ozcot" stationary.


This is cheating. Item 447 is a book with some very familiar illustrations, but you probably haven't heard of it. The title is Funny Bunny, and it was published during the first decade of the 20th century. The anonymous author has co-opted Beatrix Potter's illustration from Peter Rabbit, but added new words. Despite the illustrations, the book has nothing to do with Peter and his warren. We do not know whether the illustrations were just stolen, or were borrowed with Miss Potter's permission. The publisher was the noted Akron firm Saalfield, and they took out a copyright on the book in 1909, so one would hope they sought her approval. $125.

Here is a book for collectors of children's books, golf, or specialty printer Roycrofters. It is the 1929 book Bumps: The Golf Ball Kid and Little Caddie (cover title Bumpsies the Golfball Kids), by Valerie McMahan, published by Roycrofters. It is the story of a mean young boy who serves as a caddie that is taught a thing or two by the Bumpsies, humanized golf balls. An odd premise, but a highly collectible book. Item 479. $1,250.

Aleph-Bet Books may be reached at 914-764-7410 or Helen@alephbet.com. Their website is found at www.alephbet.com.

You will find many of Aleph-Bet's books listed in "Books For Sale" on this site. Click here.

Rare Book Monthly

  • Sotheby’s
    Year in Review
    Sotheby’s Year in Review: A Rare Hebrew Bible with Micrographic Masorah. Sold: 1,514,000 USD
    Sotheby’s Year in Review: "The Freedman's Primer.” Sold: 241,300 USD
    Sotheby’s Year in Review: Smith, William. "The Map that Changed the World." Sold: 139,700 USD
    Sotheby’s Year in Review: Psalter, C13th. Illuminated Psalter. Sold: 330,200 GBP
    Sotheby’s Year in Review: Lincoln, Abraham. The abolition of slavery. Sold: 13,697,500 USD
    Sotheby’s Year in Review: Vergilius. Opera, Venice, Aldo Manuzio, 1501. Sold: 1,041,400 USD
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