The Cat in the Hat. by Seuss, Dr. [Theodor Seuss Geisel] - 1957

New York: Random House, 1957. First edition, first issue of Dr. Seuss' classic work. Octavo, original illustrated unlaminated boards. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author opposite the title page, "For Sigler Best Wishes from Dr. Seuss" with a large drawing of the cat in the hat in black and red ink. The recipient was a neighbor of Dr. Seuss. An excellent example in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing. All issue points present: price of 200/200 on the dust jacket, no mention of the "Beginner Books" series on the rear panel, and has four paragraphs of educator's reviews on rear panel. Book contains a single signature and 61 pages with a message on final page before end paper contained in an outline of the cat's hat & head. We have never seen a true first edition with an original drawing. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare and desirable. "A person's a person, no matter how small," Theodor Seuss Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, would say. "Children want the same things we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted." "The Cat in the Hat was so successful that Random House, publisher of all the Dr. Seuss books since 1937, created a special division, Beginner Books, with the Cat in the Hat as the logo and Dr. Seuss as president of the division" (Dr. Seuss from Then to Now, 45). "This extraordinary writer has done more to foster literacy in children than most because he manages to combine lunacy with sanity, fun with learning, and quality with exuberant readability" (Joseph Connolly). It was the basis for the 2003 film starring Mike Myers in the title role of the Cat in the Hat, and Dakota Fanning as Sally.