386 - Beckmann, Irmgard. The Ten (Little Black Children). Original color paper cutouts by Irmgard Beckmann. Münster, Regensberg, 1931. 10 cardboard sheets. 24.5 x 32 cm. Original color-illustrated hardcover (spine replaced, block re-sewn, scuffed and slightly stained).

Beckmann, Irmgard. The Ten (Little Black Children). Original color paper cutouts by Irmgard Beckmann. Münster, Regensberg, 1931. 10 cardboard sheets. 24.5 x 32 cm. Original color-illustrated hardcover (spine replaced, block re-sewn, scuffed and slightly stained). First and only edition. Debut work by the then 20-year-old, who at the time worked as a nanny for the printer (and publisher) J. Hansen in Telgte (near Münster)—who was presumably also the printer of this work. Irmgard Anna Paula Beckmann (married name Rode since 1937; 1911–1989) later became known primarily as a Catholic local politician. In 2015, P. Bürger published an unofficial biography (“Das Leben zum Guten wenden”), in which, however, this title is not mentioned. Only the books containing poems and woodcuts published starting in 1934 by the aforementioned Hansen are cited as her first publications. German libraries cite either 1925 (“a very rough estimate”—she would have been only 14 years old then) or 1932 as the year of “...Negerlein.” The latter is also unlikely to be correct: in the *München Neueste Nachrichten* of December 6, 1931, under the heading “Spreading Joy with Books—For Youth at Christmas,” there is a brief, rather lackluster mention of the title: “… a playful picture book for little ones aged 3–7 with lovely paper cutouts by the young artist”—not exactly a highlight of the review industry. Fall 1931 is therefore a more likely publication date. The title does not appear to be listed in the *Börsenblatt für den Deutschen Buchhandel*; perhaps it was intended as a Christmas gift from the printing house to its customers? — Browned due to the paper, but in fairly good condition inside. *