1918 Rare First Edition - Peeps: The Really Truly Sunshine Fairy, Illustrated
An exceptionally charming 1918 first edition of Peeps: The Really Truly Sunshine Fairy, one of P. F. Volland’s beautifully produced “Sunny Book” titles, with delightful and abundant colour illustrations by Katharine Sturges Dodge.
Author: COX-McCORMACK, Nancy. DODGE, Katharine Sturges (illustrator).
Title: Peeps: The Really Truly Sunshine Fairy.
Publisher: New York, Chicago & Toronto, P. F. Volland Company, 1918.
Edition: First edition. Copyright 1918. Volland “Sunny Book” Series.
Language: Text in English.
Pages: Unpaginated.
Size: 7" x 6".
Binding: Very good original publisher’s pictorial pink paper-covered boards, beautifully illustrated on both covers, with only light rubbing and wear to the extremities and spine ends, as shown. Binding firm and attractive. Protected in a removable mylar cover.
Content: Very good content, bright, clean and tight overall, with only minor signs of age. Attractive illustrated endpapers and beautifully preserved colour printing throughout.
Illustrations: Profusely illustrated in colour throughout by Katharine Sturges Dodge, including full-page and double-page compositions, decorative vignettes and illustrated text pages.
Estimate: USD 150–200.
The book:
A particularly appealing first edition of Peeps: The Really Truly Sunshine Fairy, published in 1918 as part of P. F. Volland’s celebrated “Sunny Book” series. The story follows Betty and John as they encounter Peeps, a little fairy whose mission is to bring sunshine, happiness and good cheer. Its gentle fantasy, fairy imagery and optimistic message are wonderfully characteristic of the finest American children’s books of the period.
The volume is especially desirable for its highly decorative production. Nearly every opening combines typography and illustration in an inventive way, with luminous blues, yellows, greens and pinks, rainbows, fairies and fanciful landscapes. Copies surviving in their original pictorial binding and in such attractive condition are increasingly uncommon.
The author:
Nancy Cox-McCormack was an American writer and sculptor active during the early twentieth century. Her children’s writing reflects the period’s fascination with fantasy, imaginative play and stories designed to encourage kindness and optimism.
The illustrator:
Katharine Sturges Dodge was an accomplished American illustrator particularly associated with children’s books and imaginative fairy subjects. Her work is distinguished by graceful figures, delicate line drawing and sophisticated use of colour, all of which are especially evident in Peeps, where her illustrations form an essential part of the book’s considerable charm.