Kay Thompson’s Eloise in Paris — First UK Edition, 1958

THOMPSON, Kay; KNIGHT, Hilary (illustrator).
Eloise in Paris.
London: Max Reinhardt Limited, 1958. First UK edition. Quarto. Illustrated throughout by Hilary Knight. Original publisher’s boards in the original illustrated dustwrapper.

Description

A particularly attractive first UK edition of Eloise in Paris, the second book in Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight’s celebrated Eloise series, following the success of Eloise.

Published in London by Max Reinhardt in 1958, the book takes Eloise away from New York’s Plaza Hotel and sends her to Paris, where Thompson’s exuberant text and Knight’s instantly recognisable illustrations place the irrepressible six-year-old amid the fashions, streets, hotels and spectacle of the French capital. The result is one of the most visually distinctive titles in the series, combining Thompson’s sophisticated comic voice with Knight’s energetic line drawings and colour accents.

The title-page identifies Kay Thompson’s Eloise in Paris with “Drawings by Hilary Knight”, while the copyright page confirms the British publication by Max Reinhardt and states “First published in England 1958.”

The original dustwrapper is especially appealing, with Knight’s dramatic front-panel design showing Eloise at a Parisian balcony against a deep blue night sky filled with fireworks. The rear panel reproduces contemporary endorsements of Eloise from figures including Noël Coward, John P. Marquand, Vivien Leigh, Douglas Fairbanks, Robert Morley, Lady Packenham, Cleveland Amory and Joyce Grenfell, providing an evocative record of the character’s immediate cultural success.

An excellent example of an important early Eloise title and a desirable first British edition, retaining its original dustwrapper.

Condition

Near fine in a very good plus dustwrapper. The boards are bright and clean. Internally very well preserved, with occasional very slight foxing to the pages. The original dustwrapper shows some foxing, particularly to the lighter areas, with only minor signs of age and handling; nevertheless, it remains complete, bright and notably presentable.

Bibliographical Details

Author: Kay Thompson
Illustrator: Hilary Knight
Title: Eloise in Paris
Publisher: Max Reinhardt Limited
Place of Publication: London
Date: 1958
Edition: First UK edition
Format: Quarto
Illustration: Illustrated throughout by Hilary Knight
Binding: Original publisher’s boards
Dustwrapper: Original illustrated dustwrapper
Condition: Near fine in very good plus dustwrapper

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