CHARMING 1949 EDITION OF THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, ILLUSTRATED BY GEORGE TRIMMER

[MOORE, Clement C.] TRIMMER, George, illustrator. The Night Before Christmas. Chicago: Merrill Company Publishers, 1949. Slim quarto, original linen-like self-wrappers, staple-bound as issued; pp. [12]. $250.

Colorful 1949 edition, illustrated by popular linen graphic artist George Trimmer, with publisher's decorative scalloped edges, a lovely copy.

"When Clement Clarke Moore wrote his poem," first published in 1823, "he gave American children their own St. Nicholas," and generations of American illustrators have been drawing the kindly, magical gift-giver ever since. In the 20th century, the "glories of quick and easy, often inexpensive color printing" gave rise to myriad illustrated editions of the season's most famous poem (Nancy H. Marshall). This post-World War II edition features bright, full-page illustrations by George Trimmer, one of several prolific linen graphic artists of the era; other books he illustrated include Merrill Publishing's Animal Friends Picture Book (1939) and Farm Babies (1940). The book's edges are scalloped for a decorative touch. Marshall 420.

A bright fine copy.