Two early Madeline books, Madeline and Madeline's Rescue. Ludwig Bemelmans

Two early editions of Madeline, with bright and beautiful illustrations. They are from a Museum library, so they lack the wear of children, but they do have a ticket and a stamp mark of the museum.

The Madeline was likely issued around 1950; the copyright is 1939 but the dust-cover advertisement for "Sunshine" points to a 1950ish printing. Also, the price is now 2.50 (the 1st run of printing was 2.00). There are twelve little girls in the illustration "they went home and broke their bread".

The Madeline's Rescue states clearly that it is a "Second Printing $3.00". It has the Caldecott medal on the dust jacket.

Again, both retain their dust jacket.

Condition -

See pictures. Both are ex-library with the associated marks; they have a "B455 tag" on the front of the dust jackets, and a "Valentine Museum Richmond, Virginia stamp at the top of the title page.

Madeline's dust-jacket has wear around the edges and a 1" tear at the bottom rear gutter and a 1" hole at rear turn-in's crease; some discoloration near edges of dust jacket also. Several fox spots on the fold-ins. Small bump at bottom of rear board. A little toning internally but quite clean.

Rescue dust jacket also has wear and a few chips at the corner (small) and top of spine. There is a mark at the last printed page, like something (a ticket) had been there, no text affected; also foxing on facing page. Pages are also toned but quite clean else.