The Little Ark by Jan de Hartog 1953 Book Club Edition Hardcover with Dust Jacket

The Little Ark by Jan de Hartog is a 1953 Harper & Brothers hardcover Book Club Edition illustrated by Joseph Low and accompanied by its original dust jacket.

The pages are clean, easy to read, and show no writing, rips, or tears noted, while the jacket has minor shelf wear and dark marks near the upper right corner.

This illustrated novel is set against the devastating 1953 floods in the Netherlands and follows children and their animals through a story of flood, rescue, and survival.

Details

  • Item: Vintage hardcover book with dust jacket
  • Title: The Little Ark
  • Author: Jan de Hartog
  • Illustrator: Joseph Low
  • Publisher: Harper & Brothers, New York
  • Publication Year: 1953
  • Edition and Printing: Book Club Edition. Printing not confirmed from photos
  • Format and Binding: Hardcover, red boards
  • Dust Jacket: Present. Book Club Edition noted on flap. Jacket design by Shirley Smith
  • Pages: 213
  • Genre: Historical adventure fiction
  • Language: English
  • Dimensions: 8.75 x 6 x 0.75 inches

Condition Grade: Very Good

Positives

  • Graded Very Good: This copy shows light use and remains clean, sound, and easy to read.
  • The 213 pages are clean and legible, with no writing, rips, or tears noted.
  • The red hardcover boards remain bright and show well beneath the jacket.
  • The illustrated dust jacket retains strong red, green, and cream color across the front and spine.
  • The binding appears secure in the open book photographs, and the pages sit evenly in the text block.
  • Joseph Low's illustrations remain clear and add visual interest throughout the book.

Issues / Wear

  • Dark brown or black marks are visible near the upper right corner of the front dust jacket.
  • The jacket shows light shelf wear along the edges and corners.
  • A small area of wear is visible along the lower edge of the front jacket.
  • The page edges show mild age toning visible when the book is closed.

This 1953 Harper & Brothers Book Club Edition has Joseph Low's illustrations and its original dust jacket, and it suits readers of 1950s illustrated fiction. If it's the right copy for you, it's ready to come home.

  • Near Fine: Close to new. Any flaw is small and named above.
  • Very Good: Light use. Every flaw is named above, and none of them get in the way of reading or display.
  • Good: Complete and usable, with clear signs of use. Every flaw is named above.
  • Fair: Heavy wear or damage, named above. A reading or working copy, not a display piece.

Every item is honestly described and carefully packed. These are vintage pieces, so light age-related wear comes with them. I show and describe what I see so you know what to expect.

If your order arrives damaged or materially different from the listing, contact me within 7 days of delivery and I will make it right.

Returns must be sent back within 30 days of purchase, in the same condition received. I inspect each return against the original photos and description. 

Approved refunds go back to your original payment method, and credit card refunds can take 5 to 10 business days to appear.

Not eligible for a refund: requests made more than 30 days after purchase, items returned damaged, or items returned in different condition than received. 

Postage due on a return is deducted from the refund.

Read the full Return and Refund 

  • Photo-verified condition, no surprises
  • Packed with care. Glass and fragile pieces get extra cushioning
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Questions buyers ask

Every listing spells it out and shows it in photos. Chips, hairlines, crazing, worn plating, old repairs. If I did not mention it, it is not there.

Yes. Every photo is the actual piece, taken by me. When it sells, it is gone.

I note maker, mark, era, and measurements when I can confirm them, and say so plainly when I cannot. Unmarked pieces get dated by what the piece itself shows.

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