Description

Hardcover, large format quarto size volume bound in quarter white cloth, lettered and decorated in dark brown on spine, over tan paper covered boards, lettered in dark brown. No dust-jacket as issued. x, 48, 48 pages. Added to this edition is an introduction by John Howe. Illustrated by author with 48 color plates and 48 pages of hand lettered text, all printed on rectos only. First Calla Editions issue of this fantasy tale originally issued in November 1923 in an edition of only 2,000 copies. Written and illustrated by the English-born artist William Mitcheson Timlin (1892-1943) who spent much of his life in South Africa and penned what has been described as by one authority as “the most original and beautiful children’s book of the 1920s”. No previous ownership marks. Light, thin dark mark to white cloth on both front and rear covers. [See scan or request a picture if one not present]. Original publisher’s label containing UPS code and original price affixed inside lower rear cover. Else a clean, crisp, unmarked and like new copy of a scarce title despite having been reprinted by several publisher’s, the most elaborate (and expensive) being by Easton Press. Near fine.