The Hundred and One Dalmatians & The Starlight Barking

A lovely bundle of two first editions including both the original and world-famous 'The Hundred and One Dalmatians', as well as the author's sequel, 'The Starlight Barking', which tells the story of Pongo and his family as they encounter an enchanted sleep that affects every living creature except dogs. The books are accompanied by one loosely Autograph Letter Signed ('Dodie') to 'Popie' [the theatre historian W. J. MacQueen-Pope] and Dated 5 March 1958, praising his writing, theatre work and latest book, discussing Vivien Leigh, headed with The Barretts cottage in Finchingfield, Essex, home to the author for most of her life.

This listing comprises:

1. The Hundred and One Dalmatians, by Dodie Smith. London: Heinemann, 1956. First edition, first printing; in original, unclipped dust wrapper. Publisher's original blue cloth boards, silver lettering to spine, beautifully illustrated endpapers with a map of the Twilight Barking communication chain. Copiously illustrated throughout by Janet and Anne Grahame-Johnstone. A very good copy, the binding secure but slightly slanted, slight crushing and wear to extremities, and with an inscription penned in red opposite half-title. In a good, unclipped dust wrapper with the usual tanning to spine and edges, nibbling to extremities, one larger tear to front panel, small loss to spine tips; now in an archival wrapper.

2. The Starlight Barking, by Dodie Smith. London: Heinemann, 1967. First edition, first printing; in original, unclipped dust wrapper. Publisher's original blue cloth boards, gilt lettering to spine, beautifully illustrated endpapers. Copiously illustrated throughout by Janet and Anne Grahame-Johnstone. A very good copy, the binding square and secure, slight crushing and wear to extremities, and with light foxing to edges. In a good, unclipped dust wrapper with tanning to spine and edges, a little foxed and marked particularly to rear and on verso, nibbling and creasing to extremities, and some small, closed tears; now in an archival wrapper.

3. Loosely inserted Autograph Letter Signed ('Dodie') to 'Popie' [the theatre historian W. J. MacQueen-Pope]. Dated 5 March 1958 on letterhead of The Barretts Finchingfield Essex. 2pp, 18mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded once. Written in a close, elegant hand. Written on receipt of a presentation copy of MacQueen-Pope's latest book, the letter begins: 'My dear Popie, | Thank you so very much for "St James's, Theatre of Distinction". I think I am enjoying it even more than I usually enjoy your individual-theatre books, because the St James's meant so much to me. It was the first London theatre I ever went to - long before I could read or went to a school. (My dear family started taking me to theatres almost before I could talk!)' She has never had a play produced at the theatre, but the rehearsals for her 1931 play 'Autumn Crocus' took place there, 'so it was there I first had the pleasure of seeing a play of mine begin to come to life'. In a possible reference to the breakdown of the actress's marriage to Laurence Olivier, she continues: 'If only Vivien Leigh could have won her gallant fight! I shall always admire her for what she did. - And I shall always admire you, dear Popie, for what you do for the theatre in general, as its devoted historian.' She reports the comment of 'Alec' - her friend and business manager Alec Macbeth Beesley - regarding the 'enormous amount of skill, knowledge and sheer hard work' which goes into MP's books, 'and how grateful posterity, as well as the present day reader, should be to you'. She continues: 'We, certainly, are grateful; and very proud of our collection of your books, many of which have an inscription from our old friend, "Popie", in them.' She ends with hers and Beesley's love, 'appreciative thanks' and hope for the success of the book.

A lovely set including first edition copies of 'The Hundred and One Dalmatians' and 'The Starlight Barking', both accompanied by a loosely inserted letter hand-written and by the author, and headed with The Barretts Cottage in Finchingfield, Essex, home to the author for most of her life.

'The Hundred and One Dalmatians' was later adapted into a highly successful animated film by Disney. The story centers on Pongo and Missis, two Dalmatians who set out on a daring mission to save their stolen puppies from the villainous Cruella de Vil, whose sinister plan is to turn them into fur coats. With support from various animal allies, they must outwit Cruella and her henchmen to rescue their cherished pups. The novel, celebrated for its charming characters and thrilling plot, was both a critical and commercial success, and its Disney adaptation further established it as a beloved classic.