{"product_id":"small-beer-limited-edition-71-175-with-original-full-page-nude-drawing-signed-captioned-by-ludwig-bemelmans-1939-viking","title":"Small Beer – Limited Edition #71\/175 with Original Full-Page Drawing Signed \u0026 Captioned by Ludwig Bemelmans (1939 Viking)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublished in \u003cstrong\u003e1939\u003c\/strong\u003e, the same year Bemelmans introduced \u003cem\u003eMadeline\u003c\/em\u003e to the world, \u003cem\u003eSmall Beer\u003c\/em\u003e was issued by Viking Press in a deluxe limited edition of \u003cstrong\u003e175 copies\u003c\/strong\u003e, each containing an original illustration by the author. Most examples include small line sketches. This copy — \u003cstrong\u003ehand‑numbered #71\u003c\/strong\u003e — is exceptional for containing a \u003cstrong\u003efull‑page nude\u003c\/strong\u003e, rendered in Bemelmans’ unmistakable minimalist style with soft pink and yellow washes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe drawing is \u003cstrong\u003esigned “Bemelmans”\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003ecaptioned\u003c\/strong\u003e in his hand: \u003cstrong\u003e“Best you stay here.”\u003c\/strong\u003e Full‑page nudes are extremely uncommon and rarely appear on the market, making this one of the most distinctive copies known.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe book is preserved in \u003cstrong\u003eNear Fine\u003c\/strong\u003e condition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul role=\"list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal orange cloth bright and clean\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlack spine band with sharp gilt lettering and decoration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll three edges retain the original red\/orange stain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInterior pages fresh, clean, and free of foxing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBinding tight and square\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal drawing unfaded and unmarred\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage bookseller’s label:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eWold Book Shop — Oakland, Calif.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo slipcase (as is common for this edition)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA superior example of the limited issue — combining scarcity, condition, provenance, and a uniquely expressive piece of original Bemelmans art.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublished the same year as Madeline (1939)\u003c\/strong\u003e, this limited edition represents Bemelmans at the height of his creative powers — making the presence of an original full‑page signed drawing even more significant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis copy is notably fresh — the cloth, gilt, edges, and interior show virtually no signs of handling, and the text block remains tight, indicating the pages were seldom, if ever, fully opened or read.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chapter \u0026 Hearth Booksellers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48565563326601,"sku":"0197","price":2450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0759\/7519\/6809\/files\/PXL_20261008_135014611.jpg?v=1791489122","url":"https:\/\/chapterhearth.com\/products\/small-beer-limited-edition-71-175-with-original-full-page-nude-drawing-signed-captioned-by-ludwig-bemelmans-1939-viking","provider":"Chapter \u0026 Hearth Booksellers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}