First Edition, Tenth Printing in Original Dust Jacket

"Freddy the Detective", by Walter R. Brooks with illustrations by Kurt Wiese, published by Alfred Knopf, New York, stated 'Tenth Printing, September, 1948' (First Printing was issued in July, 1932)

"A delightful detective story about the beloved animal characters on Mr. Bean's farm, whose adventures have entertained so many children. The pig, Freddy, stimulated by reading of Sherlock Holmes, sets up in business as a detective.Beginning with the disappearance of the children's train of cars which the rats steal to ride safely back and forth from their holes to the feed-box, Freddy solves a series of very mysterious cases. All the animals become involved, there is a frame-up, and the climax is the great trial scene in the barn, where Freddy and Ferdinand the Crow are opposing lawyers and Charles the Rooster, the judge. -- from the dust jacket

Walter R. Brooks (1886-1958), American writer best remembered for his short stories and children's books, particularly those about Freddy the Pig and other anthropomorphic animal inhabitants of the "Bean farm" in upstate New York.

The first works Brooks published were poems and short stories. His short story "Ed Takes the Pledge" about a talking horse was the basis for the 1960s television comedy series 'Mister Ed' (credit for creating the characters is given in each episode to "Walter Brooks"). His most enduring works, however, are the 26 books he wrote about Freddy the Pig and his friends.

Kurt Wiese (1887 in Minden, Germany - 1974, Idell, New Jersey), nonfiction writer, painter. Illustrator Kurt Wiese was incredibly prolific, illustrating over 300 children's books, by authors such as Zane Grey and Rudyard Kipling. His most well known work are the illustrations for the original 'Bambi' book. Wiese wrote and illustrated many children's books himself, winning the Caldecott Medal for Children's Literature twice.
Wiese traveled in China selling merchandise as a young man. On the outbreak of WWI, he was captured by the Japanese, and turned over to the British. He spent five years as a prisoner, most of them in Australia, where his fascination for the animal life inspired him to start sketching. Completely self-taught, upon his return to Germany he worked for an animated film company for several years, where he developed the innovation of completing drawings on transparent material to avoid redrawing the background with every frame. He credited this work with teaching him quick and accurate draughtsmanship. He began his own story writing and illustration during this time, and continued with it during three years in Brazil before coming to America.

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Original dust jacket (a few damages: see scan); the jacket is protected by the mylar cover. Hard boards, original publisher's illustrated cloth (a little wear); 5.1/2" x 8.1/4"; illustrated endpapers, 264 pages, many illustrations, clean and fine pages, pp 137-140 has bottom blank edge crease -see scan, very good binding and condition. [krka]