Books

First edition in English. Publisher's original light grey cloth decorated and with titles in blue. Small 8vo. All edges decorated blue. Illustrated with a tissue guarded frontispiece and drawings throughout the text by Enrico Mazzanti (mis-spelt as C. Mazzanti on the title page). Illustrated half title and title page printed in black and red. An excellent near fine copy, the binding firm with just minor rubbing to the extremities, the spine a little rolled. The cloth, with three small brown spots to the lower board is otherwise bright and fresh. The contents, with minor spotting to the endpaper and half title are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Small paper flaw to the bottom of page 209 not affecting the text. A really quite exceptional example, in entirely original condition of a notoriously fragile production. Issued in the publisher's 'The Children's Library' series, this is the first edition in English of a canonical work of children's literature. Translated from the Italian by Mary Alice Murray. "One of the best known fantasies, and the most popular children's book to come out of Italy. The story was written for a Rome children's magazine, the Giornale dei bambini, where the first instalment appeared on 7 July 1881. It was published as a book in 1883 under the title Le Avventure di Pinocchio: Storia di un burattino (History of a Puppet), and quickly became a best-seller. Lorenzini's publisher is said to have made a fortune out of it, but Lorenzini himself died too early to witness its international success. Almost nothing else in children's literature equals Pinocchio for wildness of invention" (Carpenter, Humphrey; Prichard, Mary: The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature). Further details and images for any of the items listed are available on request. Lucius Books welcomes direct contact with our customers.

The classic children's novel that tells the story of a wooden puppet named Pinocchio, created by the carpenter Geppetto. Upon being carved, Pinocchio magically comes to life and embarks on a series of adventures, driven by his dream of becoming a real boy. Pinocchio is curious and often disobedient, leading him into various troubles. Despite the guidance of the Talking Cricket, who acts as his conscience, Pinocchio frequently falls into mischief. His nose grows longer each time he lies, serving as a physical manifestation of his dishonesty. Throughout the story, Pinocchio encounters a host of memorable characters, including the deceitful Fox and Cat, who trick him out of his money, and the kind Fairy with Turquoise Hair, who helps him multiple times and acts as a maternal figure. Pinocchio’s journey is one of self-discovery and moral education, highlighting the virtues of honesty, hard work, and the importance of education. Key episodes include Pinocchio’s transformation into a donkey after being lured to the Land of Toys, his escape from the belly of a giant fish, and his repeated attempts to reunite with Geppetto, who is consistently loving and forgiving. In the end, after a series of trials and personal growth, Pinocchio’s selflessness and bravery lead to his transformation into a real boy, symbolizing his moral and personal development. The novel is celebrated for its rich moral lessons, engaging narrative, and whimsical characters. Collodi’s tale has left a lasting impact on children’s literature and has been adapted into numerous films, television shows, and stage productions, the most famous being Disney’s 1940 animated film. "The Adventures of Pinocchio" remains a timeless story about the journey to becoming one’s true self.