first edition
1916 · New York
by Kingsley, Charles; Smith, Jessie Willcox
New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1916. First edition. Fine in very good plus box and glassine.. First edition thus, the stunning Smith edition of Kingsley's beloved fairy tale, in original glassine and original box. Jessie Willcox Smith was one of the most successful artists of her day, her art appearing in numerous children's books as well as on the covers of periodicals such as GOOD HOUSEKEEPING. THE WATER-BABIES is one of Smith's best-known titles, and beautifully showcases her delightful blend of the hard outlines of Art Nouveau and the softness of watercolor. This copy in its original publisher's box and glassine is uncommonly sharp. 10'' x 7.25''. Original green cloth with color pictorial onlay. Original glassine. Color frontispiece tipped onto thick grey paper, with 11 color plates tipped onto thick grey paper and black-and-green illustrations throughout. 362 pages. In original publisher's box with green lid and color pictorial onlay. Box lid with some edgewear and infills. Glassine with light edgewear. Binding with a touch of bumping to corners and spine ends. Sharp.
(Inventory #: 26466)