1931 Histoire de Babar le Petit Éléphant by Jean de Brunhoff | Early French First Edition | Rebound with Original Covers Present

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An early 1931 French edition of Histoire de Babar le petit éléphant, the landmark work that introduced Babar to the world and launched one of the most beloved series in children's literature.

Published in Paris by Éditions du Jardin des Modes, this large-format picture book retains Jean de Brunhoff's charming color illustrations throughout. The text block has been professionally rebound in red cloth with gilt spine lettering, creating an attractive and durable binding that closely echoes the appearance of the original publisher's boards.

The original publisher's pictorial covers survive and are included separately. The original covers are detached from the text block and accompany the volume as loose originals.

The copyright page is dated 1931 and includes the elephant device. The final page bears the printer's imprint, "Imp. Dureysen, Paris."

An appealing collector's copy with a notably clean interior and strong visual presentation.

Bibliographic Details

• Author & Illustrator: Jean de Brunhoff
• Title: Histoire de Babar le petit éléphant
• Publisher: Éditions du Jardin des Modes, Paris
• Year: 1931
• Language: French
• Large-format illustrated hardcover
• Color illustrations throughout
• Copyright dated 1931 with elephant device
• Final page imprint: "Imp. Dureysen, Paris"
• Professionally rebound in red cloth with gilt spine title
• Original publisher's covers present and included separately

Condition

Very Good.

Professionally rebound in red cloth with gilt spine lettering. Original pictorial publisher's covers are present but detached and included separately. Covers show age-related wear, rubbing, scattered scratches, corner wear, and pencil marks.

The text block is clean and free of ownership markings, inscriptions, underlining, highlighting, or other writing. Illustrations remain bright and attractive throughout.

Noted flaws include:

• Approximately 1" closed tear at the bottom margin of page 25.
• Approximately 1" closed tear at the bottom margin of page 35.
• Approximately 1/4" closed tear at the bottom margin of page 47.

All tears are clean, closed, and do not affect text or illustrations.

Binding is sound and the book displays exceptionally well.

Large Folio: Approximately 10.25" by 14.25" tall.

Collector's Note

First published in 1931, Histoire de Babar le petit éléphant is the first appearance of Babar and one of the most influential illustrated children's books of the twentieth century. Copies with bright interiors and surviving original covers are increasingly difficult to locate, making this an attractive example for collectors of classic children's literature, illustration, and early French picture books.