Vintage 1943 Stephen Leacock Happy Stories, Just to Laugh At First Edition in Dust Jacket Canadian Humor
This is a 1943 first edition of Happy Stories, Just to Laugh At by Stephen Leacock, one of Canada's greatest humorists and among the most beloved English-language satirists of the twentieth century. Published by Dodd, Mead & Company, New York, this copy retains its scarce original illustrated dust jacket.
Issued during the Second World War, this collection gathers together many of Leacock's finest comic sketches, showcasing the wit, gentle satire, and whimsical observations that made him internationally famous. His humour remains remarkably fresh, blending clever social commentary with the absurd situations and memorable characters that have delighted readers for generations.
The cream-coloured cloth binding with maroon lettering remains exceptionally well preserved, while the wonderfully illustrated dust jacket features a charming caricature of Leacock surrounded by dancing books and pencils—a memorable design that perfectly captures the light-hearted spirit of the volume.
Measurements
Height: 7 3/4 inches
Width: 5 5/8 inches
Pages: 240
Condition
The book itself is in Near Fine condition. The binding is tight and square, the cloth is exceptionally clean, and the pages are fresh and bright throughout with no writing or ownership markings observed.
The original dust jacket is present and displays very well but has edge wear, small tears, and some chipping, particularly around the spine ends and upper edges. The front flap has been price clipped, although the rear flap retains the original publisher's printed price of $2.50. Despite the expected wear, the jacket remains highly attractive and is increasingly difficult to find with the book.
Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.
A wonderful collectible copy of one of Stephen Leacock's classic humorous works, complete with its increasingly scarce original dust jacket. An excellent addition to any collection of Canadian literature, literary first editions, or vintage humor.