The Magic Pudding.

Sydney: Angus & Roberston Limited,, 1918. The best-known children's book by one of Australia's most famous artists First edition, first printing, of this classic of Australian children's literature, with crisp examples of Lindsay's vibrant illustrations. Norman Lindsay (1879-1969) is among Australia's most popular and prolific artists, and he worked for many years as the chief cartoonist for the Sydney-based Bulletin. Famously, the Magic Pudding resulted from an argument over what children liked to read - Lindsay's friend Bertram Stevens thought that they liked fairies, while Lindsay himself held that what they really wanted was food. Set in the bush, the story follows a sailor, a penguin, and a koala, as they contend with an anthropomorphic, self-regenerating pudding, whose only desire is to be eaten. This copy is from the first issue, distinguished by the printed "A&R" light green endpapers: the second issue has plain white endpapers. Quarto (282 x 220 mm). Pictorial title page in full colour, extensive line-drawn illustrations in the text (including 48 full-page). Purple quarter cloth, rebacked to style with original spine laid down, smooth spine lettered in gilt, yellow paper sides, front cover lettered and with central illustration in purple, printed light green endpapers. Corners refurbished. Contemporary engraved bookplate of "Edward Lakes King", with 1933 Christmas gift inscription in ink, to front free endpaper. Later manuscript "For Review" in ink to half-title. Light toning and wear, a couple of small water splashes to rear cover, faint sunning to spine, slight wear to endpapers, minor foxing to contents: a very good copy. Marcie Muir, A Bibliography of Australian Children's Books, 1970, p. 493.