E.B. White | Stuart Little, with Charlotte's Web, presentation copies, inscribed to the great-granddaughter of White's literary mentor

E.B. White

Two presentation copies, comprising:

i. Stuart Little. New York and Evanston: Harper & Row, [c.1970]

Later edition, 8vo, AUTHORIAL PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION TO FRONT FREE ENDPAPER: "for Deborah Anne Sampson, granddaughter of the illustrious Martin, whom I hold in fond memory — Best wishes — EB White", publisher's pictorial boards and endpapers, dust-jacket, 1 inch closed tear to upper panel of dust-jacket

ii. Charlotte's Web. New York and Evanston: Harper & Row, [c.1970]

Later edition, 8vo, AUTHORIAL PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION TO FRONT FREE ENDPAPER: "Deborah Anne Sampson with greetings from EB White", publisher's pictorial boards and endpapers, dust-jacket, minor closed tear to upper panel of dust-jacket

A PAIR OF CHARMING PRESENTATION COPIES OF WHITE'S BEST-KNOWN WORKS OF CHILDREN'S FICTION, WARMLY INSCRIBED TO DEBBIE SAMPSON, THE GRAND-DAUGHTER OF THE AUTHOR'S "ILLUSTRIOUS" FRIEND Martin Wright Sampson Jr., a Professor at Cornell University and brother of White's biographer Edward C. Sampson. White's association with the Sampson family stretched back to his days as a Cornell undergraduate, where Martin Wright Sampson Sr., Head of the Department of English, had encouraged him to pursue a career as a writer. White acknowledged this formative influence in the inscription to another copy of Charlotte's Web, presented to Debbie's brother Aaron (a facsimile of which is loosely inserted in the present copy). Also loosely inserted is a printed and typed address label from E.B. White's home in Maine to Debbie in New Haven.

Signed and inscribed copies of White's works are scarce at auction, and it is especially unusual to find a pair of copies with a strong biographical connection between the author and the addressee.