Anna and The King of Siam

Anna and The King of Siam, published in 1944 by the John Day Company.  Illustrated by Margaret Ayer.





Whenever I find a treasure in an old and rare book shop or a favorite Antique store, I can't wait to learn about the history of the book.

It was like that when I found this beautiful edition of The King of Siam by Margaret Mortenson Landon.

In 1927 Margaret and Kenneth Landon signed up as Presbyterian missionaries to Thailand.  While living there Margaret read about Anna Leonowens who was governess to the Siamese Royal Family.  Here is a link to photographs of the family.

In 1937 after returning to the States, Margaret began her research into the life of Anna Leonowens.  The result in 1944 her novel became an instant bestseller.  





In 1950 she sold the musical play rights to Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammenstein II, who created the musical The King and I.

In this beautifully illustrated volume published by in 1944, you will also find Margaret Landon's story about how she wrote this book.  With serendipitous meetings and book discoveries her own story seems as magical as that of her heroines.

One of my favorite movies has always been The King and I.  I can almost feel how she must have felt seeing Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner dance across the screen to the music SHALL WE DANCE.

I have just placed this book in my shop For The Love of Old Books on etsy.

Little Women, 1934

Anyone who loves Little Women adores the original movie which starred Katherine Hepburn as Jo. She won her first Oscar for that part.

This movie was released by RKO Radio during the depths of the depression.  “The film opened on November 16, 1933 at Radio City Music Hall, where it broke attendance records and earned over $100,000 during the first week of release.”

George Cukor directed this film and here is the wonderful cast:

Joan Bennett as Amy

Frances Dee as Meg

Jean Parker as Beth

Paul Lukas as fritz

Edna May Oliver as Aunt March

Spring Byington as Marmee

Douglas Montgomery as Laurie

I found the original movie trailer

But the real surprise is that I found the book, which was printed with photographs taken from the original movie.

A Complete Authorized Edition with pictures from the 1933 movie, published in 1934 by A. L. Burt Company.

The hard cover is blue, and the inside papers at the front and back of the book, hold a charming illustration of Concord and Orchard House.  





The pages inside the book are yellow with age, but I find it only adds to the charm.

I am sure that Katherine Hepburn must have had a copy of this edition, probably sitting next to her Oscar.





I just placed the book in my etsy shop, For The Love of Old Books.  You are listening to the original clips from the 1933 movie trailer.

Master Musicians

This treasure will surely be a classical music lovers dream gift.

Master Musicians, a book for layers, singers & listeners was written by J. Cuthbert Hadden. This volume was published in 1911 by T. N. Foulis Edinburgh.

I love when the papers in an old book have jagged edges, and there is a lovely heavy brown paper boasting photographs of each of the fourteen illustrations of the great composers. A tissue page is protecting each bookplate.

The book is 254 pages, and there is a lovely hint of gold leafing on the top pages.

PREFACE by J. Cuthbert Hadden

"The only thing requiring to be said by way of preface to t his book is, that it does not pretend to be critical. Technicalities have been expressly avoided. It is about the men themselves rather than about their music that I have chosen to write. Further, I have had in view the amateur rather than the professional, and the young reader rather than the adult; though I would fain hope that the book may interest all who love and practice the art of Bach and Beethoven."

Edinburg, September 1909

The book is in wonderful condition.

Adding to the charm of the book, there are a few pencil markings in the book, indicating obvious study of some aspiring young musician.

A wonderful addition to a collector's library or the gift of music for a special friend.

This lovely treasure is in my etsy shop For The Love of Old Books.