Books

New York: New York: Harper & Brothers, 1945. First edition, early printing of the author's classic work. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated endpapers, illustrated by Garth Williams. Boldly signed by the author on the half-title page, "Best wishes E.B. White." Fine in a near fine dust jacket. "The story had been brewing with White for years as a disconnected series of bedtime tales for his nieces and nephews by the time it came to Harper. There, shepherded by the distinguished editor Ursula Nordstrom and felicitously illustrated [with 87 drawings] by Garth Williams, the book was eventually published-generally to high acclaim The book sounds a resonant note as Stuart undertakes his quest for the beautiful bird, Margalo. And that quest, as White himself noted, ‘symbolizes the continuing journey that everybody takes—in search of what is perfect and unattainable. This is perhaps too elusive an idea to put into a children’s book, but I put it in anyway" (Silvey, 677).

Stuart Little is a children's novel written by E.B. White, first published in 1945 by Harper & Brothers. The story follows a small, anthropomorphic mouse born to a human family, and chronicles his adventures in New York City. The character of Stuart Little was based on a dream White had. The novel's realistic New York City setting and anthropomorphized characters make it a distinctive example of American children's literature. Garth Williams provided the book's original illustrations, which contributed to its charm and success.