In the Country with Uncle Mac, 1954 (1952) series 455 (DJ)

Uncle Mac, real name Derek McCulloch, was a well-known children’s entertainer, author and radio broadcaster with the BBC and his name was also to be seen on many children’s annuals of the 1940s and 50s.  Following Ladybird’s venture into celebrity endorsement seen in series 413, to which children’s radio personality Muriel Levy (Auntie Muriel)  lent her name, ‘Uncle Mac’ became established as the putative author of series 455.  The Uncle Mac books were all primarily picture books for pre-school children.    There were 6 books in the series.  The main focus was animals and nature but the there was also Uncle Mac’s ABC and ‘In the Train with Uncle Mac’.  They were all illustrated by Septimus Scott except for the last one – In the Train – which was illustrated by W C Watson.  Scott’s career was fading a little by this stage – his beautiful, soft-focus paintings retained a very Edwardian feel and were beginning to look a little dated for many commissions.  But for picutre books for young children they were just right.  Watson was able to replicate Scott’s palette and technique very well, so the series feels consistent in style.

In the Country was the 5th title in the Uncle Mac series – first published in 1954

This copy is a 3rd edition from 1956 which still has its original dustwrapper (price-clipped).  It has a brown line-drawing under the dustwrapper.  The dj has some edge wear and a closed tear to the cover (see photos) but otherwise it has fared well for its age.  Inside the book is in very good, clean condition.    A very nice copy of a rare and evocative book.