Children's Literature from Peter Harrington

These two youngsters and their family were inflicted on generations of schoolchildren from the 1930s to the 1970s. This could only be Dick and Jane, along with their mother, father, Baby (Sally) and Spot (originally a cat, but later a dog). While Dick and Jane would later see their names in lights, or at least in titles, originally they were characters in the Elson Basic Readers. Item 63 is a first edition of the first of these readers with Dick and Jane, from 1930. Publisher Scott, Foresman was into teaching reading through repetition, resulting in endless exciting dialogue like “run, Spot, run.” A few lines from one of these books explains why Dr. Seuss would become a runaway favorite among children. £2,950 (US $4,715).

Peter Harrington may be reached at +44 (0)20 7591 0220 or mail@peterharrington.co.uk. Their website is www.peterharrington.co.uk.