Hitty: Her First Hundred Years.: With Illustrations by Dorothy P. Lathrop

A FINE PRESENTATION COPY GIVEN TO CANADIAN FRIENDS WITH WHOM THE AUTHOR VISITED

FIELD, Rachel. Hitty, Her First Hundred Years. With Illustrations of Dorothy P. Lathrop. 4to, original cloth (rubbed; front cover and spine faded to green), printed label (browned; with one corner chipped), colored frontispiece, pp. 207 + 2 color plates (edges of the 45% of the book slightly stained at lower blank margins). New York: Macmillan, [May] 1930.

Early edition of the author's most famous book; a classic juvenile illustrated by Dorothy Lathrop. First printed October, 1929, reprinted twice in December, 1929, and this copy a May, 1930, reprint. The book was awarded the Newberry Medal in June 1930, the month before this copy was presented by Field to some Canadian friends. Not a prime copy, but a fine association copy, inscribed to family friends: "For Docia [Eudocia Dewey Jones] and little Docia [Docia Flynt Jones Horton] with such pleasant memories of my glimpse of them in Victoria [British Columbia]-with much affection, Rachel Field 1930." Below the inscription is a photographic snapshot of Field with the recipients on a bridge with The Empress Hotel, Victoria, in the background, under which is written "Rachel to us! Victoria July-1930." Tipped-in is a Canadian National Telegram from Field to the Docia Jones, 1 July 1930, announcing the arrival of her steamer the next day, "and would love to see you if you could manage it but will understand if you can't with love, Rachel Field." Tipped-in on front end paper is the announcement of the awarding of the Newberry Medal, and also tipped-in are two ALs's from Field to Docia Jones, totaling eight pages; one a 4-page letter, April 17, 1929, about the author's books: "Of course I am delighted to har that you and little Dorcia approve of the little books ad that they have found their way and made friends outin what still seems to me a very far away part of the world. I'm afraid it will be a long time before any 'first editions' of mine get to be collectors items...Have you read 'Little Dog Toby' as well as 'Polly Patchwork.'...I like the story as well as any I have done. I'm now hard at work on a couple of new books for next Fall. One is to be about an early American doll named 'Hitty'. Thank heaven, I need not do the pictures too-I much prefer the writing...Mother will be writing you all about our family, so I'll spare you a repititionary recital. With ever so many thanks and hoping you still continue to remember we 'played together'. Rachel." The second, also 4-pages, July 27, 1930, from Sutton Island, Maine, is a chatty letter about her mother, travels, pictures of "Hitty", sending them this copy of "Hitty,", etc. "I wanted you to have this copy from me to remind you of our day together...my love and so many thanks to the four Joneses. Affectionately Rachel." Dorcia Jones Horton has written out two poems by Rachel Field at the end, one on verso of the last page, the other on blank binder's leaf, and her birth and death dates. A wonderful association copy, clearly loved.