SELDEN, George. The Cricket in Times Square. Illustrated by Garth Williams. NY: Farrar, Straus and Cudahey [1960]. 8vo, [iv] 151pp. Light brown boards with spine stamped in dark brown. 24 full-page b&w illustrations. Corners ever-so-slightly bumped, spine ends a tad rubbed, else a near fine copy in original color pictorial dust jacket (no medal affixed, price-clipped, light edge wear, rear panel slightly soiled). With a bookplate signed by the artist, Garth Williams, laid in.

First edition. 1961 Newbery Honor Book! A near fine copy of this beloved book featuring 24 full-page illustrations by Garth Williams, the artist already famed for illustrating Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web and the Little House books. When Chester a Connecticut cricket gets stuck in a picnic basket he finally frees himself only to discover he’s now in the Times Square subway station. Discovered by Mario, the young boy whose family runs the newspaper stand, Chester is also befriended by Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat – die-hard New Yorkers who live together in a drainpipe in the station. The first title in the seven-volume series.