Product Description
A classic modern fairy tale by James Thurber, The 13 Clocks blends wit, satire, and fantasy into one of the most distinctive mid-20th-century illustrated books.
Published by Simon and Schuster in 1950, this early printing retains the striking original dust jacket and features Marc Simont's imaginative illustrations throughout, combining full-page color plates with expressive drawings.
Thurber's inventive language and darkly comic tone elevate the tale beyond children's literature into a sophisticated literary fable.
The story follows a cold Duke, a silent castle where time itself has stopped, and a prince disguised as a minstrel seeking to win the hand of the Duke's niece.
Rich with wordplay, memorable characters (including the Golux), and philosophical undertones, the book has become one of Thurber's most enduring and collectible works.
Simont's artwork - bold, stylized, and atmospheric - perfectly complements the text and is a major factor in the book's lasting appeal.
The volume was printed by Reehl Litho, Inc.
, hand set by Howard O.
Bullard, Inc.
, and bound by H.
Wolff Mfg.
Co.
, reflecting a notably careful mid-century production with traditional typesetting and high-quality materials.
Book is Near Fine - clean blue boards with bright yellow cloth spine, crisp black titling, and a tight, square binding.
Interior pages are fresh and unmarked, with vivid, well-preserved illustrations throughout.
Dust jacket is Very Good+, unclipped (price present), with light edge wear, small chips at spine ends, and minor creasing - most notably at the upper rear panel - but remains bright, complete, and highly presentable.
Copyright page shows 1950 with number line '14-20,' indicating an early printing.
James Thurber (1894-1961) was an American humorist, cartoonist, and writer best known for his contributions to The New Yorker.
His work blends sharp wit with subtle absurdity, often exploring the quirks of human behavior.
The 13 Clocks stands apart in his bibliography as a richly imaginative fairy tale, widely regarded as one of the finest examples of modern literary fantasy.
Marc Simont (1915-2013) was a French-born American illustrator and artist renowned for his distinctive, expressive style and wide-ranging work in children's and literary illustration.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, he illustrated nearly 100 books and was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1957 for A Tree Is Nice.
His artwork for The 13 Clocks is particularly celebrated for its bold shapes, muted yet striking color palette, and ability to evoke both whimsy and menace, perfectly complementing Thurber's imaginative text.
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