Wedgwood

1939 · 126120 — <p>The First UK Printing published by Faber and Faber Limited London in 1939. 8vo. bright blue cloth with full-length pink painted label to backstrip gilt together with decorative gilt border; clipped pictorial wrapper reproducing the frontis woodcut in full colour by Raverat; as well as the frontis an additional 54 woodcuts including title page vignette full and half page illustrations and numerous in text head and tailpieces; 8 in colour; The BOOK a lovely copy Very Good overall with endpapers offset and spotting extending from the outer edges to the prelims; the Very Good WRAPPER is a little toned spotted with some nicks and small losses to the head and foot of spine as well as ends of folds; clipped but retaining price of 7s. 6d. net to the front flap. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. First edition thus with Raverat's enigmatic illustrations. This copy inscribed by the author and poet Walter de la Mare to the front free endpaper : 'To H and M. Nicholson with affectionate remembrances from W de l M Christmas 1949'. An Arabian Nights-style tale originally written by the illustrator's great uncle Harry Wedgwood for his children. Wedgwood was the grandson of the famous potter Josiah Wedgwood and brother-in-law of Charles Darwin. The story was originally published in 'The Family Tutor' in 1852 and was later privately printed in 1887. The story follows a little princess who comes into possession of a magic ring allowing her to communicate with birds. Walter de la Mare greatly admired Raverat's work and the pair later collaborated on his 1942 publication 'Crossings: A Fairy Play' Faber 1942. A lovely copy with these charming illustrations. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.</p> Faber and Faber Limited, London hardcover