Description
First edition of The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.
Octavo, [8], 302pp, [2]. Full forest green morocco, five raised bands, title in gilt on red label affixed to spine. Gilt embellishments to spine, thin gilt border to both covers. Top edge gilt, with light wear. Fore edge and bottom edge uncut. Marbled endpapers. Stated “First published in 1908” on copyright page. Solid text block, light foxing to edges of leaves throughout, near fine. Includes frontispiece with tissue cover. Publisher’s original cloth front cover and spine affixed to rear flyleaves.
A beautiful example.
Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) developed The Wind in the Willows from the bedtime stories he told his son, Alastair. Alastair served as inspiration for the main character, Mr. Toad. The Wind in the Willows is now Grahame’s best-known title, and has since been adapted to stage and screen by other creators including A.A. Milne, Cosgrove Hall Films, and Walt Disney.