The Wind in the Willows (1913, first illustrated edition)

With ten colour plates by Paul Bransom

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

First illustrated edition (seventh overall edition). Hardback, bound in the original green cloth with gilt titling to spine and printed image to upper board. 19.5 × 15cm, 302pp.

The first edition of The Wind in the Willows to be illustrated (previous editions only had a frontispiece), and this copy with eleven colour plates, ten by American artist Paul Bransom, and Graham Robertson's original frontispiece at page 1. Kenneth Grahame's 1908 story is about many things – the changing ­seasons, the beauty and fragility of nature, the thrill of the open road, and the creeping tide of suburbia – but it is the ­glorious adventures of Toad, Mole, Ratty and Badger that captivate.

Condition

Good condition for age. The green cloth is in good condition, minor rubbing and bumping to the joints and corners. The front hinge is cracked but still very firmly attached, the inner binding throughout in good order. The pages are foxed throughout, heaviest to the prelims, then spotted blotchy foxing to the text but not terrible. Four previous owner's names to the half-title and dated 13/9/46. All plates present.