When Jean de Brunhoff’s young sons couldn’t sleep one night, their mother Cécile soothed them with the tale of an orphaned elephant. The boys were so captivated by her creation that they asked their artist father to illustrate the story.

The result is one of the most delightful and memorable characters in children's literature: Babar.

The fragile archive of Jean de Brunhoff's original artwork for Babar is held at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York, but are too delicate for permanent display. Folio was allowed access and have recreated 61 sketches and an intimate maquette exclusively for this edition.

A beautiful facsimile of the first edition of Histoire de Babar as published in French in 1931 is also included, alongside a fascinating new commentary volume that features a brand new translation, essays and expert analysis by Christine Nelson, Drue Heinz Curator of Literary and Historical Manuscripts at The Morgan Library & Museum.

All of this is held in a lovely presentation box, quarter-bound in green cloth to match Babar’s famous suit and blocked in gold on the spine with the title and, of course, some playful elephants.

Only 750 copies of this exceptional limited edition are available.

The Folio Society produces beautifully crafted collector’s editions of the world’s greatest books, each with unique illustrations or specially researched photographs throughout. Find books you love at foliosociety.com

View this edition: www.foliosociety.com/babar

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