The Adventures of Paul Bunyan. Retold by Louis Untermeyer. Illustrated by Everett Gee Jackson. Illustrated Edition. Heritage Press. Norwalk, 1973.

Of the many tall tales and folklore from nineteenth century America, there is none more familiar than Paul Bunyan. He was a giant associated with the Old Northwest. His companion was Babe the Blue Ox. He wore suspenders and plaid. He was a mythical lumberjack whose size and exploits shaped the land of the Midwest in numerous folkloric tales. He is seemingly ancient to the culture of the United States, but the truth is that he originated in the late nineteenth century through stories told in logging camps. He was not made internationally popular until versions of these stories were put to print in the early twentieth century. Still, his stature in the culture cannot be overlooked. Paul Bunyan is a deeply American literary invention. In this illustrated edition, his tales are told again through the prose of Louis Untermeyer. They are paired with illustrations by Everett Gee Jackson. It is a charming version of Paul Bunyan’s folklore, an essential text for any collector of American literature.

This illustrated edition is in fine condition. In the original green cloth, fine. Text block fine. With the original slipcase, fine. With the publisher’s original Sandglass pamphlet laid in.

A fine illustrated edition of The Adventures of Paul Bunyan.