The Sons of Kai: The Story of the Indian Told (signed)
NY: Macmillan, 1926. First edition. Hardcover. Inscribed in blue ink on the blank page in advance of the color frontispiece illustration: "Inscribed for Emelida with the friendliest good wishes of a Cape Cod Indian, Henry Beston." Scarce signed in the first edition, and here with its dust jacket in excellent shape. Part of Macmillan's "The Little Library" aimed at young readers ("ages 6-8," reads the dust jacket spine), this book tells a story of twin Navajo boys ("Navaho" in the text, now properly Diné), a story apparently told to Beston by Navajo men. The book vividly describes the Southwest and includes some interactions with the Hopi. Dedicated to the anthropologist Mary Cabot Wheelwright. With black and white illustrations throughout by Don Dickerman, at times stereotypically cartoonish. A small book, duodecimo, in sienna (orange-ish) cloth with stamped lettering and illustration in black. A fine copy. Vibrant red end papers. In a simple sea-foam green dust jacket, very good with fading (the flaps show its true coloring) and some minor wear at top of spine and to corners as well as faint creasing along top edge. Excellent shape for a book coming up on a hundred years. Fine / Very good. Item #1392
Price: $625.00 save 5% $593.75