[LAWSON, Robert]. The Wonderful Adventures of Little Prince Toofat. Written by George Randolph Chester. Illustrations by Robert Lawson. NY: McCann [1922]. Square 4to, [viii] 71pp. Textured light gray cloth pictorially stamped in dark grey and gilt. Patterned endpapers; 6 color plates, b&w illustrated chapter headings, and repeating illustrations in the margins. Spine ends and lower corners a tad rubbed, gilt ever so slightly rubbed, inscription that has been partially whited out on half-title, else a remarkably clean, bright copy of this rare title.

 

First edition of Lawson’s first and rarest book.  A fantasy tale stylized after Lewis Carroll’s Alice, about Little Prince Toofat who travels to the fairy land of Looking Glass. First serialized in the Delineator and subsequently published as a book, Lawson reportedly was not proud of this magical work, despite his stunning color plates. Reportedly, Lawson did not like when reviewers commented on his work for this book resembling that of such noted British illustrators as Arthur Rackham and W. Heath Robinson, his later work showing more of a departure from their style. Robert Lawson is to this day the only author/artist to receive both the Newbery and Caldecott Medals. This is one of the best copies of this book we have ever seen!