ERIC CARLE
The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Limited Edition. No. 46 of 500.
From the Betty Tisinger Collection
New York: Philomel Books, 1994. (not a movable book)
Limited edition. One of only 500 specially produced copies, this being No. 46, issued to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Eric Carle's beloved classic. Each copy features an original hand-drawn and signed Eric Carle caterpillar illustration, mounted to the front cover. Bound in the publisher's distinctive silver cloth-covered boards, housed in the original clear acrylic presentation case, and preserved in the original **publisher's printed folding box.
An extraordinary and lavish commemorative production celebrating one of the most influential and enduring works of twentieth-century children's literature. First published in 1969, The Very Hungry Caterpillar became an international cultural phenomenon, selling more than 60 million copies worldwide and being translated into over 80 languages. For this special anniversary edition, Eric Carle created an original hand-drawn caterpillar illustration for each of the 500 copies produced, individually signing every example.
Provenance: From the Betty Tisinger Collection . Betty Tisinger assembled one of the largest private collections of movable books in the United States, a substantial portion of which is now preserved at Virginia Commonwealth University as the Betty Tisinger Collection. This copy was purchased new by Betty Tisinger upon publication in 1994 and has remained in her personal collection ever since. It is offered directly by her daughter here - through Vintage Pop-Up Books, the family business founded by Betty Tisinger and her daughter and specializing in movable and children's books.
Condition: Mint. A remarkable preservation copy. Purchased new by Betty Tisinger in 1994 and carefully preserved in its original housing for more than three decades. According to the owner, the volume has remained housed in its original acrylic presentation case and publisher's folding box since acquisition and has been removed recently for photography. The original Eric Carle drawing and signature, silver binding, and interior contents remain in essentially mint condition. The original acrylic presentation case is pristine, retaining exceptional clarity and free of noticeable wear or smudges. Complete with the original protective tissue paper, both beneath and within the volume, as issued. The original publisher's printed folding box remains in excellent condition, exhibiting only a minor superficial scrape to the upper panel.