Lao She Rickshaw Boy Cover

Many thanks to Anne Witchard who, inspired by the book covers from Carl Crow I recently posted, sent me this 1940s edition of Lao She’s (or Lau Shaw oddly here) classic Rickshaw Boy. This edition was the Book-of-the-Month selection in the USA sometime in about 1945/1946 just prior to Lao She’s visit to the USA in 1946. The illustrations throughout, including on the cover, were by Cyrus Leroy Baldridge, an interesting character from a wealthy background who combined drawing with exploring (including a trip to China – more on that tomorrow).

It seems only fair as Anne sent me this to return the favour by plugging her excellent new book Lao She in London….