The Porcelain Table - Olaf J. de Landell - 1951 - Book Week Gift with Original Prize Entry Card

An original Dutch Book Week gift from 1951, featuring a unique piece of literary history.

De Porseleintafel (The Porcelain Table) is a novella by Olaf J. de Landell, published on the occasion of the 1951 Dutch Book Week. Upon publication, the author's name was intentionally kept secret. Readers were invited to participate in a competition to determine which of thirteen well-known writers had written the story.

The book features atmospheric black-and-white illustrations by Dutch illustrator Eppo Doeve and has a characteristic blue cover with a delicate white floral motif.

What makes this copy special is the presence of the original, unfilled competition card from 1951. It also bears a historical stamp from the Voorhoeve & Dietrich bookstore on the Nieuwe Binnenweg in Rotterdam.

A well-maintained copy for enthusiasts of Dutch literature, vintage book illustrations, and the history of Book Week.

Specifications

• Title: De Porseleintafel
• Author: Olaf J. de Landell
• Illustrator: Eppo Doeve
• Year: 1951
• Edition: Dutch Book Week gift
• Publisher: Vereeniging ter Bevordering van de Belangen des Boekhandels
• Printer: G.J. Thieme, Nijmegen
• Origin: Netherlands
• Language: Dutch
• Dimensions: 19.5 × 12.5 × 0.5 cm
• Cover: Original blue cover with white floral motif
• Illustrations: Black and white
• Special features: Original unfilled competition card and historical Rotterdam bookstore stamp

Condition

Good vintage condition with light signs of use and age. The cover shows some wear along the edges and spine. The paper is lightly discolored due to age. The interior is neat and the original competition card is still present.