The Garden of Abdul Gasazi

VAN ALLSBURG, Chris. The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1979. Oblong 4to, [32]pp. White speckled cloth with spine stamped in gold foil and front decoratively stamped in blind. Black endpapers; b&w illustrations on every other page. Spine ends a tad rubbed, else a fine copy in original pictorial dust jacket (spine slightly sunned, slight wear to upper edge, upper spine fold, and spine ends). With an illustrated bookplate, signed by two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Van Allsburg, laid in.

First edition. 1980 Caldecott Honor Book! Two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Van Allsburg’s first book! When young Alan Mitz agrees to look after Miss Hester's dog Fritz, he doesn't know the adventures he will find when he chases after Fritz into the garden of the retired magician, Abdul Gasazi.  Filled with humor and magic, this first book by Van Allsburg introduced his spectacular talent for half-tone illustrations with unusual perspectives and breathtaking use of light and dark.