Osbert

New York: Rand McNally & Co. and Container Corporation of America, 1950. First edition of this delightful “Slottie” toy book by Noel Streatfeild, inscribed by illustrator Susanne Suba. The story follows four children who transform their beloved but disheveled family dog Osbert into a surprisingly handsome guest in time for their aunt’s wedding: “A fat lot of guests would be coming to this wedding if everybody who was homely wasn’t invited.” Beginning in the 1940s, the Container Corporation of America issued a series of children’s books with sturdy cardboard cut-out toys laid in; this copy is complete with its original unpunched “Slottie,” which allowed young readers to “make Osbert come to life.” Illustrator Suba, a frequent New Yorker contributor, has inscribed this copy “with love from Susanne & Suzy” above a sketch of her own dog. A very good copy, scarce inscribed and with “Slottie” toy intact. Single volume, measuring 8 x 6.25 inches: [8], 9-30, [2]. Original color pictorial boards, original unclipped color pictorial dust jacket. Color and black-and-white illustrations throughout text, unpunched cardboard “Slottie” toy tipped in at rear, as issued. Inscribed by Susanne Suba with a sketch on front free endpaper: “To Helen, / A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year / with love from Susanne & Suzy.” Light offsetting from toy sheet, shelfwear to boards, lightly worn dust jacket with faint tidemark and one tape repair to verso.