Eloise. by Thompson, Kay; Drawings by Hilary Knight - 1955

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1955. First edition of the author's first book. Slim quarto, original illustrated white cloth. Light toning, else near fine in a near fine first issue dust jacket with a small closed tear to the rear panel. Inscribed by the author, "For my dear Paul- from/ Eloise herself and The Author" and also signed by the illustrator, "and Hilary Knight in 2007." A very sharp example, rare signed and inscribed by both Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight. "I am Eloise. I am six", So begins the start of the famed first book by Kay Thompson's "Eloise". "At rehearsals of her act with the Williams Brothers, Thompson (who was a professional singer) prized punctuality. Then one day she was late. In a high, childish voice that she had never used before, she made her apology. One of her co-workers said, 'Who are you, little girl?' Thompson replied, 'I am Eloise. I am six.' The others joined in the game, each assuming a juvenile identity, and it became a regular rehearsal pastime" (New York Times). A book soon followed, three more were soon released.