Scarce in the trade in any edition and condition.
Not many children’s books are augmented with a Foreword by Amelia Earhart, who says that she had surveyed children’s literature and lamented the specific lack of books for young people devoted to air travel and navigation. The author was a navigator herself. A perfectly serviceable reference copy; nothing fancy, but complete and sturdy. Near folio-size format, measuring 12 1/2″ x 10″ tall and wide. Penned and illustrated lovingly by Elvy Kalep, published first in 1936, this reprint in 1938. This Second Issue was published the year after the disappearance of Amelia Earhart somewhere in the insular Pacific, her last port of call having been Lae, in then Morobe District in what is now Papua New Guinea. Photo of her and her facsimile signature.
The author and illustrator, Elvy Kalep, whose work here was “Approved by United Airlines,” so says a publisher device to front cover. Elvy Kalep (1899-1989) was an Estonian navigator, Estonian first woman thus. These fanciful, active “flying babies” illustrate short stories that instruct kids about geography, flying conditions, weather and fuel. For example, “Uncle Zepp” introduces the zeppelin. It joins “Ground School,” “Take-Off,” “Gary Glider,” “Willie Kite,” “Nasty Storm,” “Patsie Parachute,” “Blind Flying,” and many others. The author, Alviine-Johanna Kalep (26 June 1899 – 15 August 1989), having written and drawn as Elvy Kalep, was born in Estonia but grew up there and in Russia and then emigrated to China with her family during the Soviet Revolution, then moved to Paris “to study art with Alexandre Jacovleff” (Wikipedia). After qualifying as a pilot in Germany in 1931, she befriended Amelia Earhart and eventually founded a children’s toy company.
Unpaginated, but roughly 30 pp.
Offered by Structure, Verses, Agency Books
$85
To purchase, contact svafinebooks@gmail.com
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