Bennett cerfs book of riddles by bennett cerf and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Bennett cerf books biography and list of works author of at. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. Christine tells michelle two jokes about religion from bennett cerfs vest pocket book of jokes. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Animal riddles by bennett cerf meet your next favorite book. Humorist and publisher, one of the founding editors of random house inc. The first of a series of joke books compiled by cerf, the founder of random house publishers, try and stop me sold over one million copies in the first two years of publication the book is mainly a compilation of anecdotes, urban legends, jokes, ghost. Bennett was related to actress, dancer, and singer ginger rogers through marriage.
He was later president of the new yorkbased publishing firm. Get the best deals on bennett cerf when you shop the. In the 1930s he led a successful challenge against censorship in. Yet, the joke was reassigned to dorothy parker within a few years by bennett cerf who specialized in collecting and popularizing quotations. Bennett cerfs book of laughs bennett cerf carl rose random house, 1959 the 11th book published in the random house beginner books series was written by the original funny man and cofounder of random house, bennett cerf. More editions of bennett cerfs book of riddles beginner books.
Jul 20, 2010 the 11th book published in the random house beginner books series was written by the original funny man and cofounder of random house, bennett cerf. An encyclopedia of modern american humor 149 copies. The book of riddles beginner books by bennett cerf 0001719 9780001717 great books my books library books beginner books read aloud books fiction and nonfiction vintage childrens books vintage kids photos. Laughing stock, bennett cerf, humor book, vintage 1945, stories, joke book, carl rose illustrations, anecdotes, hard cover book, dust jacket nutmegcottage. See all 4 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Cerf was also known for his own compilations of jokes and puns, for regular personal appearances lecturing across the united states, and for his television appearances in the panel game show whats my line. Cerf included the saying in his widelysyndicated newspaper column in october 1962. I think that more people who read the magazine pieces wanted to read the book. No discussion or jokes about politics at all, please. I brought our copy home from san antonio not long ago. Instead, theyve been consigned to linger in the noncorporeal corporate limbo known as a. Bennett cerfs treasury of atrocious puns been there. A salute to bennett cerf and other inveterate punsters. Christine tells clara two jokes under chinese stories from bennett cerfs vest pocket book of jokes.
Publication date 1959 topics american wit and humor, anecdotes publisher. Bennett cerf s best jokes by cerf, bennett, 18981971. As a matter of fact, the four or five gag books we have all feature roys drawings and my son has memorized every one. Jun 05, 2014 christine tells dan a joke about the navy from bennett cerfs vest pocket book of jokes. Rather than for us to go on strike for the remaining days of that week, i suggested a plan.
Jan 05, 2011 bennett cerf roy mckie random house, 1960 to keep in the theme of all things roy mckie this week, ill post on the initial book he illustrated for the beginner books series, the first of a gaggle of joke books he did both with and without mr. Mar, 20 bennett cerf s book of riddles with drawings by roy mckie rating. Few book publishers were more widely known than ben nett alfred cerf, although he was more often identified as a television personality, racon teur, joke teller, author, lecturer and partygoer. Bennett cerf was one of the founders of the publishing firm random house. His col lected jokes also were printed in more than 20 books that had. Christine tells clara two jokes under chinese stories from bennett cerf s vest pocket book of jokes. Bennett cerfs book of riddles with drawings by roy mckie rating. Upon graduating, he worked briefly as a reporter for the new york herald tribune, then for a wall street brokerage firm, and several years later, becoming vice. Bennett cerfs book of riddles hardcover august 27, 1960 by bennett cerf author 3. Bennett was born on may 25, 1898 in manhattan, new york to a jewish family of alsatian and german origin. The book was an enormous, number one bestseller from the day that it was published, and the first two or three weeks sold about 50,000 copies a week. Bennett alfred cerf may 25, 1898 august 27, 1971 was an american publisher and cofounder of the american publishing firm random house.
Bennett cerf s book of riddles hardcover august 27, 1960 by bennett cerf author 3. A writer and television personality, cerf was also an active editor and enthusiastic promoter of the writers published by his company, random house. Christine tells claire a joke under english stories from bennett cerfs vest pocket book of jokes. Bennett cerfs book of laughs vintage kids books my kid. Its more amusing than the 1963 topical new frontier joke book, though some of the puns are 1968 topical, too. Bennett alfred cerf may 25, 1898 august 27, 1971 was an american publisher, one of the founders of american publishing firm random house. I first learned of bennett cerf from collecting his books of anecdotes and jokes. According to a hoary legend of the book publishing world, bennett cerf, one of the founders of random house, was once asked if he could discern any formula for a bestseller. In the 1930s he led a successful challenge against censorship in the united states.
Bennett cerfs book of riddles beginner books bennett cerf, roy mckie. Christine tells dan a joke about the navy from bennett cerfs vest pocket book of jokes. Aug 29, 1971 few book publishers were more widely known than ben nett alfred cerf, although he was more often identified as a television personality, racon teur, joke teller, author, lecturer and partygoer. Such as the captions for a drawing in the book that. Bennett cerfs book of riddles vintage kids books my kid loves. Sherman alexies lovely book is the latest entry in a.
It was published in 1968, toward the end of cerf s life, since he died in 1971 another reason my cohort wouldnt know. Cerf published his first collection of jokes, try and stop me, in 1944, and followed with multiple others, including some for the random house line of beginner. Buy online, pick up in store is currently unavailable, but this item may be available for instore purchase. What i like best about this book is that its essentially a joke book yet told through the misadventures of a little boy named marvin. Bennett cerfs book of riddles beginner books hardcover august 12, 1960 by bennett cerf author, roy mckie illustrator 3. Cerf brown joke humor funny anecdotes mid century home library decor vintage raritiesbygolightly 5 out of. I might not know much about him myself except for a paperback we had around the house when i was growing up. Cerf was also known for his own compilations of jokes and puns, for regular.
Cerf was also known for his own compilations of jokes and puns, for regular personal appearances lecturing across the united states, and for his television appearances in the panel game show whats my. Bennett alfred cerf, may 25, 1898 august 27, 1971, was an american publisher, one of the founders of american publishing firm random house. The book was first read aloud in april 1960 at a small dinner party held for a select group of random house executives. None of us could bear to find out what fates they met.
Bennett cerf helped to shape the american publishing business into what it is today. As a private joke, bennett cerf later bet ted fifty dollars that he couldnt write a book using only fifty different words. Bennett cerf bennett cerf 18981971 helped to shape the american publishing business into what it is today. Bennett cerfs treasury of atrocious puns been there, seen that. Bennett cerf, one of the coun trys foremost book publishers, died late. Ginger was a first cousin to bennett s wife, phyllis fraser. Reading is a pleasure of the mind, which means that it is a little like a sport. More editions of bennett cerf s book of riddles beginner books. Be the first to ask a question about bennett cerfs book of riddles. Published james joyces ulysses in the us after winning landmark supreme court obscenity case. Bennett cerf s book of riddles beginner books bennett cerf, roy mckie on. I went downstairs in the rca building to the bookstore, bought a bennett cerf joke book, and we each copied jokes out and handed them in.
Bennett alfred cerf, the only child of gustave cerf, an elocution teacher and lithographer, and frederika wise cerf, was born on may 25, 1898, in new york city. Riddles are a sure passport for those who like them. Father of christopher cerf and jonathan cerf, with his wife phyllis. What i like best about this book is that its essentially a joke book yet told through. Prominent author bennett cerf 18981971, was an author of limericks and humor in the first half of the 20th century. It was published in 1968, toward the end of cerfs life, since he died in 1971 another reason my cohort wouldnt know. Seuss and his publisher, bennett cerf, who bet he couldnt write an articulate, entertaining book using only fifty different words. Bennett cerf was born on may 25, 1898, in manhattan, new york, to a jewish family of alsatian and german origin. Bennett cerf, one of the coun trys foremost book publishers, died late friday night at his estate in mount kisco, n. Bennett cerfs book of riddles by bennett cerf goodreads. Published many giants of 20th century american literature, including william faulkner, james michener, and ayn rand.
See my listings for other unusual, interesting and fun vintage items. Once again anything for a laugh and once again bennett cerf produces the kind of zany humor the young fry adore. Bennett cerfs book of laughs bennett cerf, carl rose on. This is a 1950s vintage promo advertising booklet given away by amoco, bennett cerfs joke book for motorists dont stop me, measures 4 14 x 6 12, 16 pages, complete, and is dated 1958. Bennett cerf is currently considered a single author.
Then again, cerf was part of the new york literary milieu, and might not have been interested in a california game show. Bennett cerf project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Bazooka joe comics pulled from bubble gum after 58 years. Cerf was known for his compilations of jokes and stories, and for his regular appearances on the panel game show whats my line. Bennett alfred cerf 18981971 find a grave memorial.
Get the best deals on bennett cerf when you shop the largest online selection at. We discover that long, wordy jokes can still be lacking and that clara likes puns and the smel. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Bennett cerfs book of laughs vintage kids books my kid loves. Isbn 9780394800158 9780394800158 hardcover, random house books for young readers, 1960. Bennett cerf roy mckie random house, 1960 to keep in the theme of all things roy mckie this week, ill post on the initial book he illustrated for the beginner books series, the first of a gaggle of joke books he did both with and without mr. Born bennett alfred cerf in new york city, he was raised in that city, and received his ba degree from columbia university in 1919, and the following year, a degree in journalism. I thought it would be fun, kidlevel riddles, but it is just a bunch of unfunny jokes. We just said we were going to publish a few books on the side at random.
Sure, to an adult the jokes might be stale, but for a kid, its a great first joke book. Bennett alfred cerf may 25, 1898 august 27, 1971 was a publisher and cofounder of random house. Ginger was a first cousin to bennetts wife, phyllis fraser. Bennett cerfs book of laughs by bennett cerf, hardcover. Bennett cerf biography, birth date, birth place and pictures. Best known as publisher and founder of random house. Buy book of riddles by bennett cerf online at alibris. Cerf was also known for his own compilations of jokes and puns, for regular personal appearances lecturing across the united states, and for his television appearances in the panel game show whats my line bennett cerf was born and brought up in new york city in a jewish family of alsatian.