First edition, presentation copy with full page pen and ink drawing of Babar and inscription on the title page. Folio. Red cloth spine, with vibrant pictorial boards. The large original pen and ink drawing depicts Babar dressed in a smart oversized coat, purchasing a hat from a milliner to be sent to "Mr. Gregory au chalet La Fenière". Beneath the ink drawing, Brunhoff's distinct cursive reads: "Babar - Je voudrais un chapeau pour Mr. Gregory. /Le vendeur - Voilà un modèle que je vous recommande. /Babar - Très joli! Vous l'enverrez aujourd'hui /de ma part à Mr. Gregory au Chalet La Fenière.-:" On the title page Brunhoff writes "A monsieur et madame Gregory /en souvenir de Montana et de leur excellent traduction/hommage respectueux de l'auteur /Jean de Brunhoff". There also is a later inscription ("To my darlingest Winkie, with all my love, Bernard, 1971") beneath a tipped-in bookplate on the verso of the title-page. Original pen and ink drawing on the verso of the front free end paper. Pictorial endpapers and colour illustrations throughout by the author, including some wonderful double page images. A very good copy with some wear and soiling to the binding and some restoration to spine and boards. Internally some foxing, and finger marks to contents.

An exceptional copy inscribed as a gift for Monsieur and Madame Gregory, who became acquainted with Brunhoff in Montana, Switzerland. Since his formative years, Brunhoff suffered from tuberculosis, and visited Crans-Montana frequently for treatment in a specialist sanatorium. In the story of Le Voyage de Babar, Brunhoff illustrates a resort where Babar, Celeste and the Old Lady go for "le bon air des montagnes et faire un pen de ski."
Brunhoff later died of his condition, aged just 37, making his few presentation copies extremely rare. His artwork of Babar is considered scarce, and an inscription such as this, alongside the large personalised illustration, is exceptionally special. Previously, in 1931 Brunhoff illustrated and inscribed a copy of "Histoire de Babar" for Monsieur and Madame Gregory which gives us insight into his esteem for the couple. The two copies are the only known books by Jean de Brunhoff to have been both inscribed and hand illustrated.
It is the second book about Babar the elephant. This is the French edition, which is the true first, preceding the UK edition by three years.

Stock ID: 45874