My apologies to those of you who received an incomplete draft version of this post via email. I mistakenly hit the publish button as I hopped from my chair to take a phone call. I have a very sensitive mouse apparently!
I’m not sure where you shop, but you might want to check out the clearance books at your local Walmart. Now, I’m not a Walmart fan. In fact, I shop there as little as possible–opting to pay more $$$ at Publix for various reasons. But if you’re into books and art and into Theodor Geisel aka Dr. Seuss, it’s worth a trip if you find the deluxe collector’s edition–Dr. Seuss: The Cat Behind the Hat by Caroline M. Smith.
Dr. Seuss: The Cat Behind the Hat by Caroline M. Smith
My friend, Anitra, found this absolutely wonderful set at Walmart and gave it to our sons’ teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week. If you’re a blog follower, you know I love Dr. Seuss! Since I so obviously fell in love with the set, Anitra volunteered to go back to Walmart and pick up one for me. Take a closer look:
The Cat Behind the Hat Front of Slipcase
Closeup of Art and Title
The slipcase measures about 16 x 18 inches and is simply gorgeous. You’ll have to trust me because my quick snaps do the actual items no justice. When I saw this huge, gorgeous, foil-stamped, cloth-covered slipcase, I fell in love even before I peeked inside for a look at the contents!
What is inside the velvet-lined slipcase, you ask?
- a cloth-covered 9.75 x 12.25-inch, 320-page hardcover book filled with colorful illustrations from what Geisel called his “Midnight Paintings” and the children’s book illustrations with which we’re all familiar. Most of the pages are fully illustrated like those pictured below; some contain text and illustrations and/or photos. (Click an image for a closer look).
- a 12 x 16-inch scrolled color lithograph featuring this image.
- three 10.5 x 8.5-inch black-and-white prints tucked into a pocket inside the slipcase (click an image for a larger view).
The book was previously published as Secrets of the Deep in connection with The Art of Dr. Seuss. This revised edition was published in 2012 by the Chase Group, LLC and produced by Amazon Publishing in collaboration with Andrew McMeel Publishing and Lionheart Books. The text, as noted earlier, was written by Caroline M. Smith, but the images were compiled and edited by William W. Dreyer, Michael Reagan, and Robert Chase, Jr.
From the product description insert:
This exquisitely produced collector’s edition redefines Theodor Geisel, known to the world as Dr. Seuss, as an iconic American artist. Illustrator by day, surrealist by night, Dr. Seuss created a body of little-known work that he called his “Midnight Paintings.” For sixty years, this work allowed Geisel to expand his artistic boundaries outside the confines of commercial influences and deadlines. […] Though he fiercely protected his “Midnight Paintings” from criticism during his lifetime, his intention all along was for these works to be seen when he was gone. This comprehensive look at the art that he created over his lifetime is an eye-opening peek behind the public persona into the real story of he man who was Dr. Seuss.
The curators and publisher are quick to note that they had no intention of trying to offer Geisel’s work in its entirety, but instead wished to present a “medley” of his work in a “chronological-ish” way.
Here’s the Table of Contents.
The Cat Behind the Hat Table of Contents
The book contains 80 of Geisel’s “Midnight Paintings” along with the more popular illustrations, advertisements, drafts, etc. For the artists among us, the medium used for each piece is also provided. I wish I could share every delicious image with you.
I am seriously giddy every time I open this book! The art is amazing, as expected, and I get to enjoy it whenever I want! I also sincerely appreciate the intimate look at one of the greatest storytellers of our time and the glimpse of his struggles and triumphs. I empathize with his desire to keep these “midnight paintings” away from public scrutiny, perhaps avoiding painful criticism of some of his most personal works.
Aside from the fact that I consider this a literary and artistic treasure–one that my family and I are thrilled to have in our collection–the price makes this find even more spectacular. Here’s the original price:
Yes, $300. Thankfully, Anitra found this in the clearance section for…wait for it…wait for it…$16.00!!! Can you believe it? That’s slightly more than 5% of the list price.
I am sooo grateful to have friends who look out for me and cater to my interests. I am not much of a shopper–don’t like shopping much–so I rely on these kind souls to find the super bargains and call me and let me know about them. I would not have thought to look in the clearance section of Walmart for this!
Thank you, Anitra! You have such a good eye for bargains and a giving heart!
Pics and Posts 