“SUDDENLY THERE WAS A KNOCK WHICH MADE HER PAUSE— COULD IT PERHAPS BE SANTA CLAUS?”
BEMELMANS, Ludwig. Madeline's Christmas. [New York]: McCall's, 1956. Slim 12mo, original illustrated self-wrappers; pp. [24]. $550.
First appearance of this delightful children’s story, a special insert in the 1956 Christmas edition of McCall’s Magazine.
Madeline's magical adventures on Christmas Eve first appeared in this scarce, fragile form; the hardcover first edition (with enlarged and restored artwork) would not see publication until 1985. "Madeline's Christmas shares the qualities of the other Madeline classics: enchanting Parisian settings, madcap action, fanciful and wacky rhyme and, of course, the incomparable Madeline herself" (Viking Kestrel Publication Announcement). Without extremely scarce original envelope. Pomerance A28a.
Lightest edge-wear to fragile leaves. A lovely about-fine copy.