Shadow Castle by Marian Cockrell (RARE First Printing), 1945. 🏰✨📜

1. Introduction 📜🔍🤯

This is an exceedingly rare and historically significant first printing of Shadow Castle by Marian Cockrell, a beloved work of classic children's literature. Published in 1945, this volume is not a simple book but a one-of-a-kind historical item from a specific era, with a triple-documented record as a school library copy.

This book’s unique history, from its wartime production to its life in a school library, elevates it to an investment-grade collectible for those who value personal connection and historical significance in their libraries.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

Shadow Castle is a classic children’s fantasy novel that weaves a captivating tale of adventure and magic. The story follows a princess who, banished to a lonely castle, must learn to overcome isolation and fear.

The book is lauded for its evocative prose and lyrical narrative style, which has enchanted generations of young readers. This specific edition is particularly notable for its beautiful illustrations by Olive Bailey, whose whimsical artwork adds a layer of depth and charm to the story.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker 🇫🇷✍️🏛️

Marian Cockrell (1908-1994) was an American author of children's books and mystery novels. A former journalist, she brought a unique blend of storytelling and sharp observation to her work. She was particularly known for her imaginative fantasies for young readers, with Shadow Castle being her most well-known contribution to the genre.

Olive Bailey, the illustrator, was a noted artist who specialized in children's book illustrations, and her work on this volume is considered a key element of its enduring appeal.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1945, this book is a direct product of the World War II era. The copyright page explicitly states it was "produced in full compliance with the government's regulations for conserving paper and other essential materials."

This detail transforms the book into a tangible link to the home front, where every resource was precious. The book’s focus on themes of resilience and facing the unknown can be seen as a subtle message of hope and strength for a nation emerging from a global conflict.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a perfect fit for a curator of classic children's literature, a collector of vintage fantasy novels, or a bibliophile specializing in wartime publications and school library ephemera.

Its distinctive history as a documented library copy with a worn but complete date card makes it a unique acquisition for a collector seeking a book with a verifiable, lived history that goes far beyond its printed pages.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This is an uncommonly rare and highly sought-after first printing. Its value is derived from its scarcity, its documented history, and its historical context as a wartime publication. The photos verify that this is a first printing and that the date card documents its life in a specific school library. The combination of these factors, especially the unique and detailed history, makes this a durable and non-replicable item that will only appreciate in value.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is a genuine and handsome survivor, showing the authentic wear of a cherished school library book. The photos provide clear documentation of its state. The library stamps, date due card, and pocket are all intact and serve as a documented record of its long life. The binding is sound, and the pages are clean and well-preserved. While the book shows signs of use, this is a distinctive characteristic that authenticates its history and makes it a highly desirable piece.

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

This book contains a wealth of unique source information, verified by the photos:

• A stamp on the inside front cover reads: "PROPERTY OF FRANK H. MASON SCHOOL LIBRARY."

• The date due card lists numerous dates, documenting the book's record as a circulating library copy, with dates including Nov 23 1962 and Nov 7 1963, among others.

• The copyright page contains a note about its production: "This book is produced in full compliance with the government’s regulations for conserving paper and other essential materials."

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The book’s illustrator, Olive Bailey, was a prominent artist in her field, and her enchanting artwork on the title page and frontispiece is a key element of the book’s enduring appeal.

• The book's historical context as a wartime publication gives it a special significance to collectors of 20th-century American history.

• The date due card is a rare piece of library ephemera that provides a unique and personal glimpse into the book's past, transforming it from a simple object into a historical document.

• The book is a "crossover" collectible that appeals to those interested in children's literature, fantasy, and documented historical items.

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Shadow Castle

• Author: Marian Cockrell

• Year: 1945

• Publisher: Whittlesey House

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

• Format: Hardcover with library pocket and date card

• Edition: First Printing

• Rarity: Rare