Description
The first edition of Life With Hazel, inscribed by the cartoonist, Ted Key, for Merrill Panitt, the “Dean of Editors” of Triangle Magazines.
Octavo, 126pp. Yellow cloth, title stamped in red on spine. Stated “First Edition” on the copyright page. Light wear to tips of spine, internally clean, solid text block. In the publisher’s illustrated dust jacket, retail price on the front flap, light shelf wear, shallow chipping along edges, a very good example.
Inscribed on the front free endpaper: “Greetings to The Dean of Editors, Henry Luce – Harold Ross – Murray Peanut – Merrill Panitt, and His Charming Sidekick, Whose Name I Do Remember, Mudge – Marge. With love from Hazel, Anne, + Ted.” Inscription also includes a hand drawn illustration of Hazel.
From the personal library of Merrill Panitt (1918-1994), the founder and editorial director of TV Guide. During World War II, Panitt served on the staff of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, where he came to the attention of Walter Annenberg, the publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Panitt joined The Inquirer in 1945 and worked with Annenberg to found TV Guide in 1953. He later became the director of Triangle Publications, the publisher of TV Guide, Seventeen Magazine, and many more.