1863 The Water Babies

Description

First Edition, Illustrated, Publishers' Original Binding

The first edition, second state without the L'Envoi leaf, which was removed from all but the first couple of hundred copies. The reasoning for its removal was a fear by the publishers that it may cause offence. 

This children's novel was originally written as a serial in 1862-1863 for Macmillan's Magazine. It was written as part satire in support of Charles Darwin's 'The Origin of Species.' The novel was extremely popular in Victorian England and remained a mainstay for British children's literature for many decades. The novel follows Tom, a young chimney sweep, who falls into a river and is transformed into a water-baby.

Illustrated by Joseph Noel Paton. Paton was a Scottish artist, illustrator and sculptor interested in folklore and Celtic legends. 

Uncommon in the original cloth binding. This copy is in need of a sympathetic reback, as the original backstrip is loosely inserted.