THURBER, James (1894-1961). A collection of fifteen pen and ink drawings, [New York, 1935].

Original drawings for Thurber's 1935 book, The Middle-Aged Man on the Flying Trapeze. A series of scenes from his fifth book of short stories featuring Thurber's famous "wobbly" drawings featured in The New Yorker evoking his particular view of the world. "A Joyce in false-face, he stews hilarious pages with characters who take their subconsciousness out on benders." (C. G. Poore. "Mr. Thurber's Manias Are Loose Again," The New York Times Book Review, 24 Nov. 1935, p. 3). Thurber's work first came to the attention of The New Yorker when his friend and co-worker, E.B. White retrieved several examples from the trash and submitted from for publication. His friend Dorothy Parker, noted that the scenes conjured by Thurber, deals “solely in culminations. Beneath his pictures he sets only the final line. You may figure for yourself, and good luck to you, what under heaven could have gone before, that his somber citizens find themselves in such remarkable situations. It is yours to ponder how penguins get into drawing-rooms and seals into bedchambers, for Mr. Thurber will only show them to you some little time after they have arrived there.” (Introduction to James Thurber. The Seal in the Bedroom and other Predicaments. 1932).

Fifteen sheets, oriented both vertically & horizontally, ranging in size from 120 x 280mm to 280 x 216mm, two on the verso of Hotel Green stationery (one with glue remnants showing through from verso). 12 hinged at top margins and matted, 3 loose. Cloth chemise and slipcase.

[With:] THURBER, James. The Middle-Aged Man on the Flying Trapeze. New York and London: Harper & Brothers, 1935. Fifth Edition. Octavo (200 x 135mm). Illustrated beige cloth (spines cracked, light foxing).