Freddy and the Bean Home News by Walter R. Brooks (2000 Reprint Hardcover in DJ)• Author: Walter R. Brooks (1886-1958)
• Illustrator: Kurt Wiese (1887-1974)
• Publisher: The Overlook Press Woodstock, NY U.S.A. 2000
From 1927 to 1958, Walter R. Brooks (1886-1958) wrote 26 books starring one of the great characters in American children's literature: Freddy the Pig. The Freddy books, widely beloved as classics and deemed the American equivalent of the Pooh stories, are a remarkable achievement in children's literature. The books went out of print in the 1960s, despite their popularity in the 1940s and 1950s.
Freddy and the Bean Home News (1943) is the 10th book in the humorous children's series Freddy the Pig. This story was written while the U.S. was in the middle of WWII. When the freedom of the press is stifled in the area, Freddy starts his own paper. The competition between his reporting and the dishonest reporting of the other paper leads to his being arrested, tried in court and kidnapped. The town rises to Freddy's defense and frees him. iv + 230pp.
In addition to the Freddy books, Brooks created the character
Mr. Ed the Talking Horse.
Dramatic, humorous illustrations by Kurt Wiese (1887-1974). Kurt Wiese illustrated over 300 children’s books and wrote and illustrated another 20 books. He received two Newbery Awards and two Caldecott Honor Book Awards.
Hardcover has brown cloth boards with red lettering and ornamentation on front and spine, in fine (as new) DJ. Carefully handled with square corners and sound gutters, the book appears unread. Minor shelf-wear. Dust Jacket has code 1000. Contents appear complete with no markings in text nor ownership in end papers. Interiors are tight, clean and unmarked.
• Size: 8vo – over 7¾ - 9¾” tall, 234pp.
• Condition: Fine (As New) Hardcover in Fine (As New) Dust Jacket – No ownership markings. 1st printing of 2000 edition.
Copyright 2000, 1943 & 1971. Manufactured in U.S.A. No edition info stated, but 1st printing from print-line. Dust Jacket is October 2000 version indicated by 1000 code. ISBN: 1-58567-081-2. LCCN is not given. MSR = US $23.95.
Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:
Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new” or even “new.” Using the same term as coin collectors, can’t guarantee it is uncirculated, but it looks very much like it could be. Booksellers needed some word to describe this...
Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher. Same sort of thing about grading as Fine above except generally used for newer publication dates still in print.
Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” This is the most likely condition for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.
Acceptable – How a young child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.)
Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have missing pages (you should ask).
Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.
1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy.
Thanks for looking!