I have been in the rare and antiquarian book business for over forty years; my family has been in the rare books business since 1876. Rare books are in my blood.
Wind in the Willows, The
London: Methuen and Co., 1908. Item #06542
“There Is Nothing—Absolutely Nothing—Half So Much Worth Doing…”
The Wind in the Willows—A Classic, Elegantly Rebound by Zaehnsdorf
GRAHAME, Kenneth. The Wind in the Willows. London: Methuen & Co., [1908].
First edition. Octavo (7 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches; 191 x 121 mm.). [viii], [1], 2–302, [303], [1, blank], [1, printer’s imprint] pp. Frontispiece by Graham Robertson, with original tissue guard.
Handsomely rebound ca. 1980 by Zaehnsdorf in full black morocco, front cover incorporating the original publisher’s gilt design, spine with five raised bands, ruled and lettered in gilt in compartments, cockerel endpapers, top edge gilt, others uncut.
A near fine copy, with a neat ink signature on the front blank and some light, primarily marginal foxing.
The masterpiece of Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows began as a series of stories told to his son Alastair - “Mouse” - before evolving into one of the most enduring works of English children’s literature.
Blending pastoral lyricism with comic brilliance, particularly in the immortal figure of Mr. Toad, the book occupies a singular place: at once nostalgic, whimsical, and deeply evocative of Edwardian England.
“Arthur Rackham was asked to illustrate the first edition, but was unable to accept the commission. He deeply regretted this decision, but shortly before his death he was able to illustrate the edition which was published by the Limited Editions Club of New York in 1940” (Osborne Collection).
Osborne Collection I, p. 349.
Price: $4,500.00