Goblin Market.
1893. London: Macmillan, 1893.
Tall 8vo, (5), 63, (1) pp. With 12 plates and numerous decorations throughout by Laurence Housman. Original green buckram, covers richly gilt a floral design by Housman, gilt edges. Miniscule wear to tips and backstrip edges. Early owner's name and date (1897) in ink on front free endpaper.
§ First edition. Housman’s marvelous and disturbing images of the strange little furry goblin men who so tempted the two virginal young sisters are among the most interesting and unusual illustrations of the decade. Johnson, Fantastic Illustration, 117. Ray, The Illustrator and the Book in England from 1790-1914, 279: “This book is a delight to behold… (the binding and illustrations) combine to make a harmonious and elegant whole.” Hodnett, English Book Illustration, page 204, remarks on how much improved Housman’s work is in the book. Boss, The Turn of the Century 6, 112. “Cardew (her name considered by Denis Collins in an article for the IBIS Journal to likely be a pseudonym) was a young artist associated with the Guild of Women Binders, whose work was exhibited alongside theirs by the Charing Cross Road bookseller Frank Karslake. Cardew was among the finest exponents of the art of hand-colouring.” (Blackwell’s). Item #125375
Price: $1,250.00