The Wind in the Willows [Centenary Edition]

London: Folio Society, 2008. Hardcover. Fine. Centenary Edition. 266 pp. Quarto (33cm X 25cm). Quarter vellum binding blocked in 22-carat gold with vellum tips and Oxford paper sides blocked in three metallic foils. Hand bound by The Fine Book Bindery, Wellingborough, Northants. Gilt top edge. Illustrated endpaper maps printed letterpress on Hahnemühle Bugra Butten by the Logan Press, Wellingborough, Northants. A signed and numbered hand-printed sepia copperplate etching tipped in one of the coloured front free end papers. The limited edition etching has been hand printed by New Leaf Editions, Vancouver, Canada, on Somerset velvet buff 100% cotton mould-made paper. Signed and dated by Van Sandwyk opposite etching page. An original full colour plate by Van Sandwyk tipped in as a frontispiece. Roughly 100 illustrations and 16 tipped-in colour plates throughout text. The plates have been printed on Hello matt art paper by Beacon Press, Uckfield, Sussex. Text composed in Founder's Caslon types at The Folio Society and printed on Cordier Wove paper by T.J. International, Padstow, Cornwall. This edition follows the original 1908 Methuen and Co text. Presented in a dark green cloth-bound clamshell case with illustrated and gilt lettered label on spine. Copy number 910 out of a limited printing of 1000 copies. A truly beautiful item in fine condition. Charles Van Sandwyk's illustrations have been compared favourably to Ernest Shepard's and Arthur Rackham's illustrations of Kenneth Grahame's classic work. Van Sandwyk's work's featured in the National Library of Canada and institutions around the world. His other award-winning books include the Parade to Paradise, Sketches from the Dream Island of Birds and How to See Fairies. Signed by Van Sandwyk below hand printed etching. This copy is unique as Van Sandwyk's only signature normally appears on the original etching. The second signature opposite the etching page makes this an exceptional copy. 2008