The Cat and the Devil - James Joyce, illustrated by Gerald Rose (Faber and Faber, First Edition)

This Faber and Faber first edition is of interest to collectors of James Joyce, Gerald Rose illustrated books, children's literature by major literary figures, and Faber first editions.

About: Very Good copy in the original binding with the vivid orange Gerald Rose illustrated dust jacket featuring the white cat and dancing devil; dust jacket with a small closed tear to the upper right corner of the front panel, some light rubbing to extremities, otherwise bright and intact; rear panel with the striking abstract orange cat tail design; Gerald Rose's bold pen-and-ink illustrations throughout; binding firm and square; pages clean and bright; a handsome and highly collectible copy of Joyce's only children's book, originally written as a letter to his grandson Stephen in 1936 and here published in its Faber and Faber first edition with the 24 Russell Square, London imprint.

Details:

• Title: The Cat and the Devil
• Author: James Joyce
• Illustrator: Gerald Rose
• Publisher: Faber and Faber, 24 Russell Square, London
• Edition: First Edition
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good (small closed tear to upper right corner of front panel; light rubbing to extremities; otherwise bright and intact)

Synopsis: Faber and Faber first edition, 24 Russell Square London; Joyce's only children's book, originally written as a letter to his grandson Stephen in 1936; vivid orange Gerald Rose dust jacket with white cat and dancing devil; bold pen-and-ink illustrations throughout; appealing to collectors of Joyce, Gerald Rose, Faber first editions, and children's literature by major literary figures.

Review: The Cat and the Devil is James Joyce's only work written for children — a delightful retelling of the legend of the Devil's Bridge at Beaugency, originally composed as a letter to his four-year-old grandson Stephen Joyce in August 1936. In the story, the Devil offers to build a bridge for the town of Beaugency in exchange for the soul of the first creature to cross it — only to be outwitted by the Lord Mayor, who sends a cat across first. Gerald Rose's bold, exuberant illustrations perfectly complement Joyce's playful prose, and the Faber and Faber first edition — with its vivid orange jacket — is one of the most visually striking and bibliographically unusual items in the Joyce canon. A genuinely rare and desirable piece for any serious Joyce collection.