Jackanapes

London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge , 1884 . First edition. Leather. Fine. 8.5" by 6.5". Randolph Caldecott. The first issue of Juliana Horatia Ewing's moral children's tale, in a signed half morocco binding by Zaehnsdorf. The first edition, first issue of this work, with last word of page 27 reading 'egad', and frontispiece numbered page 39.In a lovely half morocco signed binding by Zaehnsdorf, and with the publisher's original front and rear wraps bound in.Illustrated with a frontispiece, illustrated title page, and a number of vignettes by popular Victorian era illustrator Randolph Caldecott.The work of Juliana Horatia Ewing, an English author of children's stories. A charming Victorian era tale which displays a sympathetic insight the life of the child, an admiration for all things military, and a reflection of Ewing's strong Anglican faith. With the bookplate of Charles Plumptre Johnson to the front pastedown, and with the bookplate of W. A. Foyle of Beeleigh Abbey to the recto of the front endpaper. Johnson was the son of the Physician-Extraordinary to Queen Victoria. Himself he was known as a yachter, owning a fine fleet of modern yawls, including the 'Moonbeam'. His impressive library extended to some 6,000 volumes.A lovely example of this children's tale. In a half morocco signed binding by Zaehnsdorf, with paper covered boards. Externally, fine. Bookplates to front pastedown and front free endpaper. Publisher's original front and rear wrap bound in. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Fine