Preliminary identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a charming, signed first edition of 'Prunella,' a children's book written by Rosemary Patrick and illustrated by Antonia Navor. Published as 'A Bookland Juvenile' by Carlton Press, this copy features a rare 'Author's Copy' stamp and a personal signature from the author on the front free endpaper.
Story
Published in New York in 1971, this whimsical tale flips the script on traditional farm life. Prunella is a pig who shocks her muddy family by insisting on brushing her teeth, washing her ears, and keeping clean.
Maker / Origin
Rosemary Patrick authored this delightful children's story, which was brought to life by the soft, expressive illustrations of Antonia Navor. Carlton Press was a well-known mid-to-late 20th-century vanity and subsidy publisher, meaning many of these titles had very small, localized print runs, making surviving copies exceptionally scarce.
Condition & Value
The dust jacket shows visible wear, including chipping, small tears, and minor staining along the top edge of the front and back covers. The interior pages and the author's signature remain clean, crisp, and in very good condition. The wear to the dust jacket reduces the overall value by approximately 25%.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.