Pinocchio: The Story of a Puppet by C. Collodi, Illustrated by Maria L. Kirk, 1920

Collodi, Carlo. Pinocchio: The Story of a Puppet. Philadelphia and London: J. B. Lippincott, [1920]. Illustrated by Maria L. Kirk. Gift Edition. In the publisher's original gray cloth boards, stamped with green and orange, illustrated cover label and top edge gilt. With 14 color plates and numerous border illustrations and decoration throughout. Presented with a new archival slipcase. 

Presented is a charming English edition of Carlo Collodi’s children’s tale, Pinocchio: The Story of a Puppet. This book was published in Philadelphia and London by J. B. Lippincott, as a special "Gift Edition," circa 1920. It features 14 full color plates by illustrator Maria Kirk and numerous border and chapter decorations throughout the book. It is presented here in its original gray cloth boards, stamped in green and orange, with a beautiful illustrated cover label of Pinocchio in a forest. The book is protected by a new custom archival slipcase. 

Collodi’s La Storia di un Burattino (trans: The Story of a Puppet) first appeared in serial form in the Italian weekly publication for children, Giornale per i bambini. The first installment was published on July 7, 1881 and continued for nearly four months and 15 chapters. Following the mischievous adventures of an animated marionette named Pinocchio, the original series was written as an educational tale of warning to Italian children, stressing the importance of morality, responsibility, and obedience to one’s parents and authority. In the original, serialized version, the flawed and irresponsible Pinocchio is penalized and hanged for his numerous poor decisions and faults of character at the end of Chapter 15. 

At the request of his editor and by the demand of his many readers, Collodi resumed his serialized story in February of 1882. In these later chapters, Chapters 16–36, the Fairy with Turquoise Hair rescues and revives Pinocchio and eventually transforms him into a real boy. Pinocchio acquires a deeper understanding of himself and his moral responsibilities, making the story more palatable for children. In February 1883, the story was published in Italy as a single book, illustrated by Enrico Mazzanti. It was a huge publishing success. 

The Adventures of Pinocchio is the world's third most translated book, after the Bible and The Little Prince. Pinocchio was first translated into English by Mary Alice Murray in 1892, whose translation was added to the widely circulated Everyman's Library in 1911. The first US edition was published in 1901, translated and illustrated by Walter S. Cramp and Charles Copeland. Other celebrated English translations include the 1926 translation by Carol Della Chiesa and the later 1986 bilingual edition by Nicolas Perella. 

Maria Louise Kirk (1860-1938) was an American painter and illustrator of more than fifty books, the majority of the titles were children’s books. She is celebrated for her illustrations in the 1904 US edition of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and the subsequent Through the Looking Glass, as well as the first edition of The Secret Garden and several books by L. M. Montgomery and Johanna Spyri.  Born in Pennsylvania, Kirk studied art at the School of Design for Women, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and in the Art Institute of Chicago. 

CONDITION: 

Very good condition overall. Octavo. In the publisher's original gray cloth boards, stamped in green and orange, with a beautiful illustrated cover label. Top edge gilt. Some rubbing at extremities of cloth boards, with light damp staining and soiling to cloth boards. Illustrated with 14 color plates by Maria L. Kirk, decorations in the borders throughout. Minor damp staining at bottom edge of plates. Early gift inscription dated 1924 on front free endpaper. 134 pp.

Protected with a new archival green slipcase, inlaid with a print of the illustrated cover label.

Book Dimensions: 9 1/2"H x 7 1/4"W x 1 1/2"D. Slipcase Dimensions: 10"H x 7 1/2"W x 2"D. 

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.