Vintage 1934 “Pinocchio: The Story of a Puppet” – Everyman’s Library No. 538 | Illustrated Classic Children’s Book
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Step back into a gentler world of childhood storytelling with this charming 1934 Everyman’s Library edition of Pinocchio: The Story of a Puppet by Carlo Collodi (Carlo Lorenzini) — a classic tale loved by young readers and nostalgic grown-ups alike.
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This delightful hardback comes from the much-loved Everyman’s Library “For Young People” series, created to make great literature beautifully affordable and accessible.
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With its soft blue cloth binding, embossed Everyman’s crest, and charming black-and-white illustrations throughout, this book is everything a vintage children’s classic should be — warm, inviting, and filled with character.
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Inside, you’ll find the full adventures of Pinocchio — the mischievous wooden puppet with a growing nose and an even bigger heart — printed in a traditional typeface with lovely illustrated vignettes. One especially sweet touch is the illustrated farewell message at the end signed, “Yours sincerely, Pinocchio.” ✨
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🕰 A Little History — Everyman’s Library
First launched in 1906 by J. M. Dent & Sons, Everyman’s Library set out with a simple but powerful promise — that great books should be available to “every man, woman and child.” Bound in quality cloth with elegant typography and classic design, these books became a staple in homes, schools, and libraries across the world.
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This No. 538 edition of Pinocchio was first published in the series in 1911, with this particular copy printed in 1934, making it now over 90 years old — a wonderful piece of literary history.
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📜 Features
✔ Hardback Everyman’s Library Edition — No. 538
✔ Printed 1934 (reprint of the 1911 series edition)
✔ Published by J. M. Dent & Sons, London & E. P. Dutton, New York
✔ Illustrated throughout with charming line drawings
✔ Decorative Everyman monogram endpapers
✔ Includes short biography of Carlo Collodi and an introduction
✔ Genuinely vintage — not a modern reprint
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📏 Approx. Size
Standard Everyman’s Library hardback format
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💙 Condition
This book has been gently loved and shows its age in a very honest and appealing way. The blue cloth cover shows sun-fading and mottling, with some rubbing to edges and spine. Inside, the pages are clean and readable with light age-toning, the binding remains firm, and there is a 1936 inscription from a previous owner/library, adding a lovely sense of history and provenance.
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I would describe it as Good Vintage Condition — complete, fully readable and full of soul.
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🎁 Perfect For
✨ Vintage book collectors
✨ Lovers of classic children’s literature
✨ Everyman’s Library enthusiasts
✨ Nursery or study décor
✨ Anyone who believes books should be cherished, not hidden away
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💷 Price
£18
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A wonderful, display-worthy vintage edition with bags of character — and a timeless story that still makes hearts smile.
Researched by The Happy Antiquer, Objet D'Art Stuff