The Arkadians [ Association Copy ]

Lloyd Alexander

New York: Dutton Children's Books, 1995. Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover Cloth. Fine / Fine in removable archival dust jacket. Item #5276
ISBN: 9780525454151

A First Edition, First Printing signed and inscribed by the author on the title page: “For Maggie/ all friendly wishes from Lloyd Alexander/ June 24 1995.”

Three quarter blue hardcover boards (bright and clean) with quarter oatmeal cloth that shows some very faint discoloration along front hinge/groove. Spine is unwrinkled and clean, with gold gilt title still bright. Faint smudging to lower outer edges, negligible, with clean interior and tight binding. Save for some sun fading along the spine, dust jacket is in Fine condition. A beautiful, collector’s copy for a book nearing 30 years old. Fans of Mister Rogers, Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, or even Richard Bach’s Ferrets series, would find delight in this writer.

This edition is made special by Lloyd Alexander’s inscription to Maggie Kimmel, a close friend of Mister Rogers. Editions bearing inscriptions to recognized artists or notable figures have emerged as a niche interest, valued for their uniqueness. Though not specially bound, they stand out as distinct compared to standard limited editions, with many valued for their provenance.

Well known for the beloved Prydain Chronicles, Newberry Award winner Lloyd Alexander drew heavily from mythology as inspiration for his stories. “The Arkadians” weaves together Greek mythology and adventure, and includes the lovable poet-donkey Fronto. Biographer James S. Jacobs stated that Alexander “was the first American who wrote high fantasy…that could stand up against the British fantasy. He put America on the map more solidly in the area of high fantasy.”

Maggie Kimmel was the respected children’s book author, researcher and professor emeritus in the Library and Information Science Program at the University of Pittsburgh, the city where the set location for “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” was primarily filmed. Kimmel worked as an advisor to “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood” and made appearances on the show. She was a Fellow of the Rogers Center for Media and Early Childhood at St. Vincent College. She was interviewed by “Around the Neighborhood” in Spring of 1993, where she spoke earnestly about the importance of introducing young people to the power of reading: “There should be as many books as blocks! It’s not enough to use a book because it makes a point for a curriculum lesson. We need to give children experiences with books and stories each and every day. Just for their general pleasure.”

Absolutely lovely illustrations to this edition by Trina Schart Hyman, who also illustrated Maggie Kimmel’s book “Magic in the Mist.”.

Price: $175.00  other currencies