(n.p.), (n.p.), [c. 1962]. Typed manuscript with holograph notes of Marguerite Henry's classic sequel to Misty of Chincoteague, prepared for the use of illustrator Wesley Dennis, Henry's collaborator on a series of highly regarded children's books from the 1940s to the 1960s. The manuscript comprises approximately 100 sheets of loose-leaf paper in a three-ring binder, with Henry's manuscript segments cut-and-pasted to the sheets leaving room for Dennis's illustrations, and with Henry's instructions/guidelines for Dennis regarding her ideas for the images. In addition, there is a group of miscellaneous material Henry apparently provided Dennis to help with ideas and images for the book's illustrations, including photographs of the actual foal, Stormy; shots of Misty with another of her foals; snapshots of the farm where they lived; etc. One of the most interesting working manuscripts we have ever seen. Henry's work on the book is visible in multiple dimensions: as a writer, her manuscript; as an editor, via the holograph changes to the manuscript that are visible throughout the book; as a production designer, in her layout of the mockup of the book, with text and illustrations indicated in her hand; and as art director, with her instructions to Dennis on virtually every page. The author's engagement with the material on the multiple levels required to create a successful book is wonderfully evident. Stormy, Misty's Foal was published in 1963 and was based on the true story of a foal born to Misty, a Chincoteague pony made famous by Henry's classic 1947 book and the Hollywood movie that was later adapted from it. Henry had written one sequel to Misty of Chincoteague in 1949 -- Sea Star, Orphan of Chincoteague -- and her 1949 collaboration with Wesley Dennis, King of the Wind, had won the Newbury Medal, after two of their earlier books, including Misty, had won Newbury Honor awards. In 1962, a dramatic storm hit the eastern seaboard right at the time that the 16 year-old Misty was preparing to give birth. Nearly 150 wild ponies died in the storm on Chincoteague and Assateague islands, which gave Stormy her name. This manuscript is based on fact but is clearly fiction. The small archive of materials included with it helps show how the one was adapted from the other, including Henry's using a photograph of Misty with one of her other foals as a guideline for Dennis to create an illustration of Misty and Stormy. The Marguerite Henry books were classics of their era: Misty of Chincoteague was recently chosen by one online magazine, American Profile, as one of the "10 Timeless Books of a Generation," along with such titles as Charlotte's Web; Goodnight, Moon; Where the Wild Things Are; Eloise; The Cat in the Hat; and The Giving Tree -- exalted company. Stormy, Misty's Foal is part of a series of critically acclaimed, commercially successful and culturally important books that Henry and Dennis created over more than two decades. Some sheets are loose; overall the condition is very good. An important manuscript, preserving the otherwise unknown and unseen work of one of the great children's book writers of the 20th century. [#027909] SOLD

All books are first printings of first editions or first American editions unless otherwise noted.