The Story of Ferdinand - Munro Leaf, Robert Lawson (illustrator) 1936 - The Viking Press, New York - First Edition A superior first edition of this high point in 20th century children's literature, in a better than usually encountered first issue dust jacket.

Ferdinand, the Bull who preferred to smell the flowers, quickly became popular, striking a chord of anti-fight in a world infected by war. Banned by Franco and burned in Nazi Germany. Translated into over 60 languages and made into an Oscar winning animated film by Disney in 1938.

Once upon a time in Spain there was a little bull and his name was Ferdinand.
  ‘This is perhaps one of the finest 20th-century examples of the inspired wedding of a text and illustrations to make a children’s book that as a whole is even greater than the sum of its parts-which are in themselves very fine indeed. The simple, delightful Leaf story about a Spanish bull who prefers the fragrance of flowers to the roar of the bull-ring is lovingly illustrated by Robert Lawson. The overworked word ‘classic’ is well deserved here. Children have adored The Story of Ferdinand ever since the book was published’ – Gerald Gottlieb, Early Children’s Books and Their Illustrations.

First edition with ‘First Published September 1936’ statement and no additional printings listed, and rear flap of dust jacket with price of $1.00

References: Gottlieb,
Early Children’s Books and Their Illustrations. Bruce Handy, The New Yorker, December 15, 2017.

Large octavo (book size 21.2x18.2cm), pp. 71 [1]. In publisher’s tan cloth spine, lettered in pink, and pink paper covered boards, decorated with white flowers and a black vignette of Ferdinand to front and rear, yellow illustrated endpapers. Dust jacket priced ‘$1.00’ to upper corner of front flap, all corners with publisher’s decorative trim.
  Condition: Near fine, one or two small smudges to pages, in very good dust jacket, lightly soiled, fading to spine as usual, some wear to corners and spine ends, small pen mark to rear panel.   Ref: 111137   Price: HK$ 56,000