Description
Signed by Norman Rockwell, the first edition of “Tell Me Why” Stories by Carl H. Claudy, the first book illustrated by Rockwell.
Octavo, 154pp. Orange cloth, cover illustration stamped in black and white, title on spine. First edition with “Published, November, 1912” on copyright page. Light rubbing to the cover illustration and spine. Shelf wear to bottom boards, some wear to cloth. General wear to text block, as you would expect with a children’s book. Closed tear to page 21, short tear to bottom corner of title page, but stable. Complete with frontispiece illustration and 7 full page color illustrations by Norman Rockwell. Includes JSA authentication letter for signature. Signed on the front free endpaper to Frances A. Orpen, a relative of Norman Rockwell’s mother and youthful caregiver to Norman. Inscription reads: “Franc / with a Merry X’mas / from Norman / 1912 / With Love / Norman Rockwell.”
At the age of eighteen years old, Norman Rockwell was a student at the Art Students League in Manhattan. His mentor, Thomas Fogarty, saw his student’s need for financial stability and arranged for Rockwell to receive a commission for illustrating this book, “Tell Me Why” Stories by Carl H. Claudy. Rockwell considered this book his first real publication. While in later life he would laugh at these early illustrations, they are considered good examples of “a broad-brushed romantic technique.” (Claridge, 27).
