SMALL-TOWN ADVENTURES

McCloskey, Robert (1914–2003)

Homer Price

New York: The Viking Press, 1959.

CLASSIC TALE OF IMAGINATION, HUMOR, AND SMALL-TOWN AMERICA.
Before Make Way for Ducklings brought Robert McCloskey national recognition, Homer Price introduced readers to one of his most memorable fictional communities. Set in the fictional town of Centerburg, these humorous stories follow Homer and his family through a series of inventive adventures filled with mechanical marvels, curious inventions, and everyday situations transformed by McCloskey's imagination.

Originally published in 1943, Homer Price remains one of McCloskey's most beloved works of children's literature. The stories combine gentle humor, memorable characters, and the author's distinctive line drawings, capturing a nostalgic vision of American childhood where curiosity and creativity drive every adventure.

THE ART OF ROBERT MCCLOSKEY.
McCloskey's illustrations are central to the appeal of the book. His carefully observed black-and-white drawings extend the humor of the text, portraying the residents of Centerburg, unusual inventions, and the wonderfully exaggerated situations that make Homer's world unforgettable.

The book demonstrates the early development of the visual style that would later make McCloskey one of America's most celebrated author-illustrators.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Bound in publisher's blue cloth with illustrated dust jacket. Octavo, 9 inches tall; 149 pages. Illustrated throughout with black-and-white drawings by Robert McCloskey.

CONDITION: Very Good in a Good dust jacket. The bindings are tight and square. Text is clean with light, even age-toning. Moderate shelf handling wear. The dust jacket is price clipped with loss at the foot of the spine and light wear along the corners and top edge. Despite these flaws, the jacket remains complete and presents the original illustrated design.

LITERARY SIGNIFICANCE — THE BEGINNING OF CENTERBURG.
 With Homer Price, Robert McCloskey created a fictional American town that reflected the humor, optimism, and inventiveness of mid-century childhood. The stories anticipate themes that would continue through his later celebrated works, combining everyday life with imaginative possibility.

McCloskey's ability to pair understated humor with expressive illustration helped establish a new standard for American children's books. Today, Homer Price remains valued by collectors of children's literature, illustration, and twentieth-century American publishing.

CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS:
+++ Six humorous stories set in the fictional town of Centerburg
+++ Early work by Caldecott Medal-winning author-illustrator Robert McCloskey
+++ Includes McCloskey's distinctive black-and-white illustrations throughout
+++ A classic example of mid-century American children's literature

SUBJECTS: Robert McCloskey; Children's Literature; Illustrated Books; American Children's Books; Juvenile Fiction; Mid-Century Illustration; Humor; Americana; Viking Press; Author-Illustrators.

Item #22214

Price: $40.00