The Twenty-One Balloons

Published by Robert Hale Limited, London; 1949. 8vo. 180pp. First U.K. edition, first impression. Condition: Very Good+/Very Good

Bound in original red cloth binding with title in black to front and spine. The binding is square and tight and in clean, bright condition. There is some darkening and bumping to the top edge and spine ends. Inside, the pages are clean and bright and free from marks or damage, with just a little toning and spotting due to age. It is beautifully illustrated by the author.

This lovely book is housed in its first issue dust jacket. It is lovely and vibrant, and in very smart condition. There are a few very small stains and some shelf wear, including a few closed tears to the spine ends and top corner, which at some point have been taped to prevent further damage. It remains in rather lovely condition in spite of thee few points.

In all, this is a beautiful example of this children's novel by William Pene du Bois. The novel is a skilful blend of truth and nonsense, in which a retired school teacher's ill-fated balloon trip leads him to discover Krakatoa, an island of great wealth and fantastic inventions. When Krakatoa explodes the protagonist and the famllies escape on a platform suspended by 21 balloons. This was one of Pene du Bois' best known novels, winning the Newbury Medal the year after its release in the USA.