In 1946, director-writer-cartoonist Frank Tashlin published The Bear That Wasn't, a picture book in which a bear was driven into deep delusion by human contact. In 1950, Tashlin published  The Possum That Didn't, in which an opossum was driven into deep depression by human contact.  In 1951, while working on the Bob Hope feature Son of Paleface, Tashlin published a third picture book, The World That Isn't, written and illustrated in much the same way as the earlier two books, but more unambiguously targeted at adults. Tashlin's message stayed as consistent as his technique: people may vary but their social institutions are inevitably insane. However, with the
whole of humanity as its funny-animal protagonist, the third book follows a more ambitious path back to nature. Contemporary American existence is depicted in gag-busy pages and simultaneously "described" by a standard Western account of social evolution: the "Ice Age" is  a drunken apartment party, the "discovery of the wheel" takes place in a town full of car accidents and happy morticians...Christianity's gentle influence is felt, the printing press aids Man in his quest for knowledge....  Yoking high allegorical intent to his cinematic gag background, Tashlin doesn't distinguish between the familiar mild irritations of mid-century middle-class comedy (nagging wives, rude children, cheating contractors, taxes, billboards) and questions of life-and-death...

The Possum That Didn't by Frank Tashlin. Hardbound stated First Edition 1951. London: John Murray Ltd. This book is believed to be a first printing. 60 pp. approximately (unpaginated). Measures 19.5x25.5 cm. Hardbound Book Condition: Very Good-. Dust Jacket Condition: Bright; Good-/Fair due to chipping at edges but intact. Book is illustrated with B&W drawings. This is a presentation copy Inscribed and signed on the dedication page by the author. The personal inscription reads "... and to Jimmy Spees who sure in hell does, Merry Christmas 64, Frank Tashlin."

Condition

Some rubbing is indicated at spine corners. The bottom 1/2" of the spine is chipped. The bottom edge has a 1/2" chip near the spine. The front edge is excellent. The top and bottom edges have minor rubbing. The rear cover is excellent. The front cover is generally excellent but has a slight 2" bubble near the center close to spine. Overall, the book is bright and not fading in color; all pages are intact with a solid block and tight spine. Two pages near the middle have 1/8" folded corners. All other pages are excellent. The dust jacket is chipped along edges but also remains bright. Some foxing is found on both inside book covers where the dust jacket has pressed against it.