ALS from Norah Purcell from her address at 6 Ridley Park, Singapore, Straits Settlements, dated 19.IX.31. She sends a deposit of 5 pounds for books to chosen by her or her husband Victor, but expresses that she "was greatly displeased to receive 'abridged' editions of the two children's books ordered "The Wide Wide World" and "Queechy." When I asked for cheap copies to be sent, I naturally expected they would be complete, and from Ward, Lock, or Collins, or Blackie - not the totally illiterate Herbert Strang who has been responsible for the present volumes which are almost unrecognisable." She goes on in this vein for two pages, later complaining about "publishers who print fairy tales in mutilated form under the name of Hans Anderson, and who take it upon themselves to put pink and white rubbish in place of Tenniel's illustrations - or even "Re-tell" Lewis Carrol! (sic). Victor Purcell (1896-1965) was a British colonial public servant, historian, poet, and Sinologist in Malaya (now Malaysia). Susan Warner, writing under the name of "Elizabeth Wetherell", wrote 30 novels. The Wide Wide World, her first, was the most popular. It was translated into several languages, including French, German & Dutch. Other than Uncle Tom's Cabin, it was perhaps the most widely circulated story of American authorship. (Wikipedia). She and her sister moved with their father to Constitution Island in the Hudson River after the financial Panic of 1837, teaching religion to West Point cadets. Her sister Anna was the author of song "Jesus Loves Me". 7x9", 2pp, with date stamps and the bookseller's notations for the deposit account, receipt number and various other notes. Seller Inventory # 24327

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Bibliographic Details

Title: A Singapore resident requesting books from ...

Publisher: Singapore

Publication Date: 1931

Store Description

We have been booksellers for 48 years, members of the ABAA, ILAB & many prominent trade organizations. You may order from us with the security that an established & reputable bookseller offers you, who abides by the code of ethics established by ILAB. We offer old, rare & out of print books, maps, prints, ephemera & photographs on many subjects. We handle items in every fields. Some of our specialties include the Hudson River Valley, the Antarctic & Arctic, Australia & the South Pacific.

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Antipodean Books, Maps & Prints, ABAA
29 Garrisons Landing, Garrison, NY, 10524, U.S.A.

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