This is the fourth in an annual series of reproductions of children's books from the collections of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. This version of Beauty and the Beast was originally published in 1897 by McLoughlin Bros. of New York, using the chromolithography process, a full-color printing technique. Our limited-edition reprint reproduces the brilliant colors of the original and is sure to be a delightful addition to any library.

  The first known written version of Beauty and the Beast is dated 1550-53, and the story has been revised many times since then. In the nineteenth century many different versions of the tale were published in France, Great Britain, and America-at least 68 printed editions have been identified.

The original book was donated to the Society by Leonard P. and Dorinda Bjerklie, Jr., of Hettinger, North Dakota. SHSND #60927