Around the World with Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis, Illustrated by Dick Dodge (First Edition), 1958. 🌍✈️🤪

1. Introduction 📜🔍

Around the World with Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis. Published in 1958, this volume is a sought-after collectible from a major era of American humor and satire. The photos confirm its first edition status and reveal a unique cover design, a visual representation of Auntie Mame's travels. It remains a joyful and rebellious celebration of life, and its exceptional quality and status as a classic make it a premier addition to any serious collection.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

This book is the brilliant sequel to the smash-hit bestseller Auntie Mame, continuing the rollicking adventures of the world's most glamorous and eccentric aunt. The novel, told through the witty eyes of her nephew Patrick, chronicles Auntie Mame's hilarious misadventures in various exotic locales, from London to the South Pacific. It is a high-camp classic, full of clever social commentary and biting satire aimed at the absurdities of class, conformity, and societal norms of the mid-20th century. This edition is further enhanced by the evocative illustrations of Dick Dodge, whose distinctive style perfectly captures the book's irreverent spirit.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

Edward Everett Tanner III (1921–1976), who wrote under the pseudonym Patrick Dennis, was a publishing sensation. A witty and flamboyant writer, he exploded onto the literary scene with Auntie Mame, which spent 112 weeks on the bestseller list. At the peak of his career, he became the first writer to have three books on the New York Times bestseller list simultaneously. In a stunning twist of fate, after his books went out of print in the 1970s, Tanner fell into obscurity and worked as a butler. The title page drawing was done by Dick Dodge, a noted American illustrator who worked on covers for publications ranging from children's books to classical music LPs.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1958, this book is a product of the post-war era of conformity and consumerism. It stands as a vibrant counterpoint to the quiet, suburban sensibilities of the Eisenhower years. The book's embrace of eccentricity, travel, and a bohemian lifestyle provided a much-needed escape for readers, positioning it as a key work of mid-20th century American satire. Its humor, often dubbed "High Camp," was a powerful and subversive force that critiqued the social mores of the time.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a perfect fit for a collector of mid-century American literature, a fan of satirical or humorous fiction, or a bibliophile specializing in theatrical history, as the story was later adapted for both stage and screen. The book's unique illustrated cover design and its status as a classic will appeal to a collector who seeks not only a great read but also a piece of pop culture history that has had a lasting impact.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This edition of Around the World with Auntie Mame is a rare and highly sought-after first edition, a fact confirmed by the copyright page. Its value is derived from its status as a bestseller and a cultural touchstone of its time. The absence of a dust jacket and the wear on the cover are factors in its value, but the unique illustrated cover makes this a distinctive and valuable copy. This book is a non-replicable item that will only appreciate in value.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is a modern collectible. The photos provide a transparent view of its condition. The hardcover binding is in discolored condition but the cloth is faded and discolored from age, direct sunlight, and handling, especially on the spine. The inside cover pages exhibit foxing, which is common for books of this era. The binding is sound, and the pages are clean and well-preserved. While the book shows signs of aging, its overall condition is excellent, making it a fantastic addition to any collection.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book does not contain any personal inscriptions, which is often desirable for a collectible of this type. Its value is derived from its intrinsic quality and a perfect state of preservation, exactly as it was intended to be received by the original reader.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The book's illustrated cover with its hotel luggage stamps for Cairo, London, and Paris is a unique design element that perfectly encapsulates the book's globe-trotting narrative.

• The character of Auntie Mame was based on the author’s real-life eccentric aunt, Marion Tanner, who was known for her lavish and unconventional parties.

• The original novel, Auntie Mame, was a groundbreaking work that helped popularize the concept of "High Camp" in American culture.

• The author, who died in obscurity in 1976, has seen a major resurgence in popularity at the turn of the 21st century, with many of his books being reissued for a new generation of readers.

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Around the World with Auntie Mame

• Author: Patrick Dennis

• Illustrator: Dick Dodge

• Year: 1958

• Publisher: Harcourt, Brace, and Company

• Place of Origin: New York, New York, USA

• Format: Hardcover

• Edition: First Edition

• Rarity: Rare