The Bug Book.

New York:: Looking Glass Library, 1959., 1959. 5.5x4 inches. [32] pp. Color figures. Original printed wrappers; a bit browned, subtle creasing or otherwise 'evidence of use'. Good. First edition, limited to 600 copies, issued as a Christmas keepsake by the Looking Glass Library, which was an offshoot of Random House. It was the first limited edition book of Gorey and his first color-printed book, though it was his fifth book. In his lifetime it is calculated that Gorey produced some 500 books. "The Bug Book is one of Edward Gorey's cuter novellas. The story has all the happiness, drama, trauma and retribution of many a classic novel. This deceptively simple story focuses on some brightly colored bugs whose contented lives are threatened when a bully bug disrupts their happy existence. The beleaguered bugs hold a secret meeting and deal with the interloper in a permanent way, later enjoying their victory over the dreaded foe." / "Originally conceived as a 1959 Christmas greeting, the privately printed paperback first edition of this book is Mr. Gorey's first limited edition book. Only 600 copies were produced under the Looking Glass Library imprint and it was meant to be used as a holiday keepsake by the publishers. This is also Edward Gorey's first story to appear in color, albeit simplistic primary colors." – Irwin Terry, Goreyana. / REFERENCE: Toledano A5a. NOTE: Looking Glass Library: Epstein & Carroll Associates was a division of Random House founded in 1959 and managed by Jason Epstein, Clelia Carroll, and the illustrator Edward Gorey. It published 28 titles in the Looking Glass Library, and only those titles, between 1959 and 1961. A few reprints were issued through the 1960s, and some titles reissued in the 2010s. (Inventory #: LV2733)