Edward Ardizzone (1900-1979)

"It might be truly said that the born illustrator is not very interested in life as it is. He likes to create his own version of the world around him. Actuality is not pointed enough for him." Edward Ardizzone in a talk "The Born Illustrator" delivered to the Double Crown Club at one of their dinners in 1957. (Read the complete text here). Ardizzone, who illustrated and wrote so many wonderful books, was considered by many to be the father of the modern children's picture book. Here are some of my favorites of his work.

The Witch Family written by Eleanor Estes 1960

The Otterbury Incident 1963 reprint via

The Strand Magazine - October 1947 - cover by Edward Ardizzone. Via flickr

The Little Grey Men by "BB" (Denys Watkins-Pitchford). First published by Eyre & Spottiswood, 1942. Puffin edition 1962, this reprint 1975 (ii). Cover illustration by Edward Ardizzone. via

The Long Sunday by Peter Fletcher

Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain by Edward Ardizzone, copyright 1936, first in a series of 'Little Tim' books. This is the 1968 edition by Scholastic Book Services. via theartofchildrenspicturebooks.blogspot.com 

Jim Flora

James Flora, children's book author, magazine illustrator, creator of some of the most zany & memorable album art covers of all time. Remember albums?? Check out the Jim Flora website, run by his family and heirs. There you can learn & see lots more plus purchase fine art prints. 

This is Benny Goodman and his Orchestra

Mambo for cats 1955

Bix and Tram for Columbia records

Louis Armstrong's Hot 5

The Big Robbery

1947 Kid Ory and His Creole Jazz Band 78 album cover

Fetcher Henderson 1942, this work is being featured as set dressing on Showtime's "Masters of Sex", one of my must-watch shows.

Jim Flora Art has released a limited-edition, archival-quality fine art print of an uncirculated, untitled 1940s-era 

Jim Flora | The Day the Cow Sneezed via Stickers and Stuff

Jim Flora | The Day the Cow Sneezed via Stickers and Stuff

Jim Flora | The Day the Cow Sneezed via Stickers and Stuff

Jim Flora | The Day the Cow Sneezed. See more here: Stickers and Stuff

First edition Dr. Seuss books

I wish I had my old Dr. Seuss books now, but alas, they went the way of most abandoned childhood things. So, I'm thinking of re-acquiring some. Here are some first editions. They're pricey now, so if you collect, seek out some slightly later editions. That's what I do with most books I collect, often going with later editions or later printings of firsts. Lots of early editions can be found on eBay. Heritage Auctions has some interesting editions, some signed by the author.

"New socks. Two socks. Whose socks? Sue's socks." Fox in Socks. Beginner Books, A Division of Random House, 1965. First edition. 

"I’ll load up five boats with a family of Joats / Whose feet are like cows, but wear squirrelskin coats, / And sit like dogs, but have voices like goats— / Excepting they can’t sing the very high notes." If I Ran the Zoo. New York: Random House, [1950]. This one sold for $1314. on Heritage Auctions

Dr. Seuss. The Cat in the Hat. [New York]: Random House, [1957]. First edition. Signed by the author in blue ballpoint via

"In the places I go there are things that I see / That I never could spell if I stopped with the Z. / I'm telling you this 'cause you're one of my friends. / My alphabet starts where your alphabet ends!" Dr. Seuss. On Beyond Zebra. New York: [1955]. First edition, first issue dust jacket. via

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” How the Grinch Stole Christmas. New York: [1957]. First edition, first issue dust jacket. Sold for $437

Here's a really early one that I wasn't familiar with. "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street" New York: The Vanguard Press, 1937. sold for $1195 on Heritage Auctions