1929: The Perfect Zoo : Eleanor Farjeon : 1st Edition : Children's Book : VGC

By Eleanor Farjeon

Published by George G. Harrap & Co Ltd 1929 - First Edition

The Perfect Zoo by Eleanor Farjeon, published by George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd. in 1929, is a delightful and increasingly scarce first edition from one of Britain’s most imaginative early‑twentieth‑century writers. This large landscape volume showcases Farjeon’s whimsical storytelling at its best, presenting a fantastical “zoo” of creatures brought to life with charm, humour, and her signature poetic touch. The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with twelve vibrant colour plates, printed on quality stock and integral to the book’s visual appeal. Harrap’s production values in the late 1920s were exceptionally high, and this title is no exception, with its quarter cloth spine, pictorial paper‑covered boards, typical of the publisher’s finest children’s books of the period.

The first edition is prized for its distinctive format and the richness of its illustrations, which capture the decorative style of the era and remain a major draw for collectors of interwar children’s literature. Copies often show rubbing or wear to the boards and edges, and light foxing to text pages is common, making well‑preserved examples particularly desirable. 

A charming and imaginative work from a beloved author, The Perfect Zoo stands as an appealing addition to any collection of illustrated children’s books.

Binding is in good condition, firm and square. Some rubbing to the board edges, Presentation slip from the High School of Dundee to front pastedown. Some light spotting to title page and copyright page (see images)  But5 elsewhere pages are clean and bright. Overall a very good copy of this scarce title.

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(Children's Cabinet)