LUDWIG BEMELMANS (1898-1962) American painter and writer of children's tales, creator of the little French girl, Madeleine . Nice signed book, his coffee-table volume entitled The Best of Times (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1948), subtitled: "An account of Europe revisited, with 50 color and 100 black illustrations by the author". With great content and, of course, charming illustrations. Boldly inscribed on the first free endpaper, adding date 1948. No dust jacket, a tear at top of spine resulting in a bit of linen loss to cover, interior very clean. $350-450