Thompson, Kay. Illustrated by Hilary Knight

First edition of the sensational first book in Kay Thompson’s immensely popular Eloise series. Quarto, original publisher’s cream pictorial cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with drawings by Hilary Knight. Association copy, inscribed by the author, Kay Thompson, to the book’s illustrator, Hilary Knight on the front free endpaper, “For my darling Hilary – My God —- Can you even believe it — Isn’t it wonderful – Oh Hilary – I love you Kay and Me Eloize.” In an interview with Sam Irvin, the recipient, American artist and illustrator Hilary Knight declared, “Eloise never would have happened as a book had it not been for D.D. Ryan badgering Kay and putting us together.” Kay Thompson first created the character Eloise as a child, later using the persona to entertain friends. D.D. Ryan, a junior fashion editor at Harper’s Bazaar and Thompson’s friend, saw potential for a book adaptation, especially if the right illustrator was found. Ryan, who was neighbors with Knight, frequently received his drawings, one of which featured “a fat little prissy pretty girl with frizzy blonde corkscrews” that caught her attention. She arranged for the two to meet in December 1954, where Thompson was intrigued by Knight’s drawing: “The prissy one Kay would call Dorothy Darling,” Knight explained, “The other suggested the wicked school girls of Ronald Searle.” This meeting sparked one of the greatest writer-illustrator collaborations in American publishing, leading to the creation of Eloise. When conceiving Eloise, Thompson and Knight culled from a variety of artistic and real-life sources. For her look, Knight looked to his artistic influences, including his own parents (artists in their own right), as well as illustrators such as Ernest Shepard, Edmund Dulac, and Louis-Maurice de Boutet Monvel. Thompson would later claim (and disclaim) Eloise was based on herself, but also drew inspiration from her many famous friends and theatrical colleagues. After their first meeting, Knight sent Thompson a Christmas card depicting “Eloise,” which led Thompson to conclude, “I knew at once Hilary Knight had to illustrate the book” (Irvin, Kay Thompson, 2010). Eloise was published in November 1955 and became an instant runaway sensation, selling over 40,000 copies by early the following year. The book eventually spawned four sequels by Knight and Thompson (Eloise in Paris, Eloise at Christmas, Eloise in Moscow, and Eloise Takes a Bawth), a music record and televised play, as well as an abundance of Eloise-themed toys and merchandise. To date the book has sold more than two million copies. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. A unparalleled association copy.