Description
32mo (138mmx105mm) 85pp. Hardcover in grey paper boards with no d/w but is in very good condition o/t slight fading of light exposed edges and spine with an inlaid illustration plate of Johnny, briefcase in hand, with blind stamped corners adhered to the front board with the title in dark green imprinted on spine as well, protected in clear archival covering, text is also in very good condition, all 23 colour illustrations are present and devoid of any damage or markings, the attractive1908 designed endpapers are in pristine condition too though spine webbing is slightly visible between pges 30-31 and 42-43 despite being very sound. There is a neat pen written gift inscription on verso of ffep as well as a pencilled 2/- price on same page (was originally 1/- on d/w). There is no date evident other than 1918 on a copyright page but interestingly the very first earliest printings had no letter N in London on the title page so further printings soon after had the word London reprinted in the same font but accidently in a smaller size and this is evident in this early copy. Linder has a delightful explanation regarding the characters representing local town personalities on pge. 243. eg. the local doctor Parsons loving his golf and Johnny is seen carrying a long-golf-club bag. The dedication “To Aesop In The Shadows” on verso of the half-title page is of course referencing Aesop’s Fables “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse.” Despite being prepared in a rush for the 1918 Christmas market, the attention to detail in her illustrations is as always extraordinary and this is certainly a very good and tight First Edition.