First Edition of Jim Corbett's "Man-Eaters of Kumaon"

The wait is finally over! Just received the first American edition of the Man-Eaters of Kumaon by Jim Corbett. A stunning beauty, I am sure you all will agree. Remarkably, the book has two dust jackets - one in multi-colour and the inside one is in bi-colour print. Original cloth-board bound with tight stitching. It was printed in New York in 1946. The total page count is (xix) + 235. It has an introduction by Sir Maurice Hallett, then Governor of the United Provinces, and a Preface by Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy of India, 1936-43. Critical praise from literary stalwarts like James Hilton (of Goodbye, Mr. Chips and Lost Horizon) are printed on the back of the dust jacket.

The two dust jackets of The Man-Eaters of Kumaon

Inside cover and title page

Copyright page and the Introduction

The Empire ***** 500 Special Edition

Last Friday I received a special issue of five star reviews of 500 movies given by the famous movie magazine the Empire. An awesome compilation of excellent reviews of movies - some of which you might have seen, many you want to see, and many more you have the copy but not yet seen (for your own numerous vital reasons of course!). A treasure for me; and hope many of you may want to own a copy of this.

Harry Potter in Penguin Classics!

I know many of you love reading Harry Potter (include me there too!). What do you think of the cover arts of the Harry Potter books? Are they beauty? Personally I like the cover of the UK edition of The Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. Others I detest.

Recently while surfing the web for some Penguin Classics, I came across some interesting images. One M. S. Corley, freelance illustrator and graphic designer from the US, has redesigned the covers of the seven books of the Harry Potter series as a project (that means you may not have the chance of seeing those arts on a Harry Potter book on a nearby book store). The most interesting fact here is that these covers are designed in the pattern of Penguin Classics covers. Penguin Classics have very unique cover arts which are identical in their broader formats but strikingly different from one book to another. Actually Penguin has brought out a volume titled Seven Hundred Penguins, featuring a collection of Penguin book covers from around the world.

I display here for you the seven cover designs of Corley for your viewing pleasure. The copyright of the covers are reserved with M. S. Corley.

Jim Corbett

Well, this is my first blog. As it may happen with everyone, you are crammed with ideas and subjects and wonder where to start. After much pondering, I have decided to add a few lines on my attachment with Jim Corbett and his books.

When I was in school we had some access to Jim Corbett's works in Assamese translation. Biraj Choudhury translated Man-eaters of Kumaon and The Man-eating Leopard of Rudraprayag and was published by the Assam Publication Board. The books with beautiful dust jackets and sturdy bindings were an instant attraction to the teenage mind. I still have a copy of the translated copy of Man-eaters of Kumaon in my collection. 

As time passed, my interest grew into the 'Carpet Sahib', who spent much of his life in the northern India protecting lives of the local people and playing roles in the conservation of the wildlife. His biographies by DC Kala, Martin Booth and Jerry A Jaleel are very insightful into his life.

Cover image of the Second Print of the Assamese translation of Man Eaters of Kumaon. (Thanks to Leo for suggesting me to upload this image.)

Carpet Sahib: A Life of Jim Corbett by Martin Booth

Under the Shadow of Man-Eaters: The Life and Legend of Jim Corbett by Jerry A. Jaleel

Jim Corbett of Kumaon by D.C. Kala

Hope to write on Jim Corbett again in near future.

PS.
I am eagerly waiting for the first edition of Man-eaters of Kumaon - on which I have spent a fortune -  to reach my hand soon.