FIRST EDITIONS OF EIGHT VOLUMES IN GLORIA AND ESTHER GOLDREICH'S INSPIRING SERIES, WHAT CAN SHE BE?, EACH SIGNED AND/OR INSCRIBED BY SERIES PHOTOGRAPHER ROBERT IPCAR, ALONG WITH INSCRIPTIONS IN SEVEN VOLUMES BY HIS PARENTS, ARTISTS DAHLOV AND ADOLPH IPCAR

GOLDREICH, Ester and GOLDREICH, Gloria. IPCAR, Robert. What Can She Be? Series. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, (1972-1979). Eight volumes. Quarto, various blue, orange, red, and russet paper boards, various photographic dust jackets. Housed together in a custom clamshell box. $5800.

First editions, first printings of eight volumes, rarely found together, in the 1970s Goldreich series that opened professional paths for girls and young women, featuring leaders such as journalist Barbara Lamont-Gelobter and New York State Senator Carol Bellamy, each distinctive copy inscribed and/or signed by series photographer Robert Ipcar, along with seven copies inscribed by his parents, artists Dahlov and Adolph Ipcar. An exceptional set marking a transformative decade in the lives of American women.

The groundbreaking What Can She Be? series was created and co-authored by Gloria Goldreich and her sister Esther Goldreich. Gloria is also the award-winning author of novels such Leah's Journey (1978). Each of these eight volumes contains numerous black-and-white photographic illustrations by photographer and cinematographer Robert Ipcar, who is also a noted science fiction author. Each volume is signed and/or inscribed by Robert Ipcar; in addition, seven volumes contain inscriptions by his parents, artists Dahlov and Adolph Ipcar. Robert Ipcar's grandparents, William and Marguerite Zorach, were also artists. Descriptions of each of the volumes—all first editions in their original dust jackets—and their inscriptions follow:

What Can She Be? A Veterinarian (1972). The first book in the series, this contains an inscription signed by Ipcar: "To Ippy and George, With Love, Bob." With over 65 illustrations following Dr. Penny on a typical day as a veterinarian.

What Can She Be? A Newscaster (1973). The third book in the series, this contains a gift inscription on the half title by Ipcar's parents: "For George & Ippy—Ever onward with the Ipcars—Merry Christmas with love from Dahlov & Adolph Dec. 1974." Below, on the same page, is an inscription signed by Ipcar: "Love Robert Ipcar." With 50 illustrations following the volume's newscaster, Barbara Lamont-Gelobter, who is notably featured in Feminists Who Changed America, 1963-1975.

What Can She Be? An Architect (1974). The fourth book in the series, this contains the printed dedication to Ipcar's parents: "For Adolph and Dahlov Ipcar." The book contains their gift inscription on the half title, dated the year of publication: "For George & Ippy—Another in the Ipcar saga—Merry Christmas with love from Dahlov & Adolph Dec. 1974." Below, on the same page, is the inscription signed by Ipcar: " Love Robert Ipcar." With over 50 illustrations following architect Susan Brody as she meets with clients and supervises construction.

What Can She Be? A Police Officer (1975). The sixth book in the series, this contains a gift inscription on the half title from Dahlov and Adolph: "For the Saszows—Good law abiding citizens all? Merry Xmas from the Ipcar clan." Below, on the same page, is the inscription signed by Ipcar, dated the year of publication: "Robert Ipcar 1975." With over 50 illustration following two sisters, Nancy Ames and Laura Ames, in their work as New York City police officers.

What Can She Be? A Geologist (1976). The eighth book in the series, this contains a gift inscription on the half title by Dahlov and Adolph, and is signed by Robert Ipcar: "For Ippy & George—any rocks in your heads? ["your" underlined] with love from Dahlov, Adolph & [signed] Robert Ipcar." With over 50 illustrations following geologist Ina Brown.

What Can She Be? A Film Producer (1977). The ninth book in the series, this contains a gift inscription on the half title in the year of publication by Dahlov & Adoph, and is signed by Robert Ipcar: "For Ippy & George—from Dahlov & Adolph & Son * [signed] Robert Ipcar." The inscription by Dahlov and Adolph continues below: "*That's him on p. 8, Xmas 1977." With over 45 illustrations following film producer Fran Sears that features her work on a children's television show, P.J. and the President's Son. As noted in the inscription, Robert Ipcar is seen on page eight in his work as a cinematographer.

What Can She Be? A Legislator (1978). The tenth book in the series, this contains a gift inscription on the half title by Dahlov & Ipcar, and is signed by Robert Ipcar: "For Ippy & George—In case you go into politics. With love from Dahlov & Adolph & Son [signed] Robert Ipcar." With over 50 illustrations following New York State Senator Carol Bellamy, who served three terms in the New York Senate and was the first woman to be elected President of the New York City Council.

What Can She Be? A Computer Scientist (1979). The final book in the series, this contains a gift inscription on the half title by Dahlov & Adolph, and is signed by Robert Ipcar: "For Ippy & George—the last of the series—so Bob says—with love from Dahlov & Adolph & [signed] Robert Ipcar." With over 45 illustrations following computer scientist Linda Wong. The series began in 1972 and concluded with the tenth volume in 1979.

Books generally quite fine; bright original dust jackets near-fine to fine.