Polar Express, The – Chris Van Allsburg
NF/VG Third Print

For sale: a Rare and Exceptional First hardcover Edition, early printing of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg in a new archival wrap. Edition stated, 1985 Houghton Mifflin. Third Printing with partial number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3.

The book is in Near Fine condition with clean, cloth boards with a few marks, strong silver title gilt on the straight spine and front board design, clean page blocks, tight binding, no spine tilt, strong spine ends, mild edge wear and lightly rubbed corners. The interior of the book is also in Near Fine condition with no marks, inscriptions, or other signs of ownership inside.  Both end papers and the interior pages are clean and bright, making it an excellent addition to any collection.

The dust jacket is in Very Good condition with heavy edge wear, two 1.5″ tears on the front (one mended with tape) and one 2″ tear on back, several smaller tears including both spine ends. First state jacket with the $15.95 price intact on the front flap and no Caldecott medal. Looks great in a new Brodart archival wrap.

A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical train to the North Pole . . .  Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a barren desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the huge city standing alone at the top of the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish.