HEADLONG CAREER AND WOEFUL ENDING OF PRECOCIOUS PIGGY by HOOD, THOMAS

HOOD. HOOD,THOMAS. THE HEADLONG CAREER AND WOEFUL ENDING OF PRECOCIOUS PIGGY. London: Griffith and Farran 1859. 4to (7 1/2 x 9 1/2"), salmon colored pictorial boards, [21]p. + [1]p. ad, respined with matching paper, some cover soil else remarkably tight and clean. 1st edition. The story originated as a tale that Hood told to his children. After he died his son Tom wrote down the story and illustrated it (his original manuscript is at the Huntington Library). Printed on one side of the paper only, each leaf features a fine HAND-COLORED illustration showing the ultimately sad tale of this dandified pig. The preface is by Frances Freeling Broderip, the author's daughter and a children's writer as well. First editions in such nice condition are rare. Sold with a 1969 facsimile of the original manuscript.