Beauty and the Beast by Marianna Mayer (First Aladdin Books Edition, 1987)

This item is a copyrighted edition of the classic fairy tale 'Beauty and the Beast,' retold by Marianna Mayer and illustrated by Mercer Mayer. Specifically, this copy is identified as the first Aladdin Books edition, published in 1987 by the Macmillan Publishing Company. The book is a trade paperback (as indicated by the 'pbk' abbreviation next to the ISBN) with cream or off-white paper stock. It features decorative black ink scrollwork borders along the inner margins of the pages, depicting floral and vine motifs. The type is set in a clean, serif font. Notable publishing details include a copyright date of 1978 for the text and illustrations, with the printing history showing a number line '10 9 8 7 6 5 4' which suggests this is a later printing of the 1987 edition rather than a first printing. The physical condition appears fair to good; there is visible subtle tanning or yellowing of the paper edges consistent with age, and a faint dark smudge or handling mark is visible near the bottom left corner of the copyright page. There is also a slight ripple in the paper near the gutter, though the binding appears intact. This edition is notable for the collaboration between the Mayers, who were high-profile figures in 20th-century children's literature.

I have examined the digital representations of this trade paperback edition of 'Beauty and the Beast' (1987). This copy is a later printing (indicated by the 10-4 number line) of the First Aladdin edition. My visual assessment confirms the book is in fair to good 'reading copy' condition. The noted tanning of the paper edges is typical for the wood-pulp stock used in mass-market paperbacks of this era, and the minor rippling at the gutter suggests environmental humidity exposure or handling stress. The smudge on the copyright page indicates frequent use. Market-wise, the collaboration between Marianna and Mercer Mayer remains well-regarded in children's literature, but value is highly dependent on format and scarcity. While the 1978 Four Winds Press hardcover first editions can command higher premiums from collectors, the 1987 Aladdin trade paperback was produced in significant quantities. Current comparables on the secondary market show this specific edition selling consistently in the lower double-digit range. The primary factors limiting value are the paperback format, the later printing status, and the visible wear. While the illustrations are iconic, collector demand is concentrated on pristine first-printing hardcovers with dust jackets. Limitations: This appraisal is based on image analysis. A physical inspection is required to check for 'hidden' flaws such as brittle pages, acidic odor, or compromised adhesive in the binding. Authentication of the printing sequence is based on the visible number line, but verification of its completeness requires a full leaf count. This estimate assumes no significant provenance (e.g., author signatures) which was not visible in the provided images.