A CHILD’S GARDEN OF VERSES – Large Paper Limited Edition (1896)
Robert Louis Stevenson; illustrated by Charles Robinson
Scarce Large Paper Edition of A Child’s Garden of Verses, the first edition with Charles Robinson’s celebrated illustrations. Printed in 1896 and limited to just 250 copies in total – 150 for England and 100 for America. This is one of those large-paper copies, with the limitation statement on the verso of the half-title (“Of this Large Paper Edition 150 Copies have been printed for England and 100 Copies for America”).
London: John Lane, The Bodley Head; New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1896. Octavo, xiv + 136 pp. Numerous black-and-white illustrations by Charles Robinson throughout.
Binding
Later but sympathetic red cloth binding, very similar to copies handled by major auction houses:
• plain red cloth to the exterior boards and spine
• the original green pictorial gilt cloth panel from the publisher’s binding is laid down on the inside front board (and rear if applicable), preserving the iconic Robinson design.
No dust jacket (as typically found). All page edges [check: plain / top edge gilt – adjust this line].
Condition
Overall about Good / Very Good for a 129-year-old limited edition, but please see photos:
• Red cloth shows light rubbing and a bit of wear at the spine ends and corners.
• Binding remains sound; hinges intact.
• Pages are gently age-toned but generally clean, with no underlining or highlighting that I can see.
• Illustrations are crisp and clear.
• Not ex-library. [Add any bookplates, inscriptions, or flaws you notice.]
A handsome, well-preserved example of the large-paper limited issue of the first Robinson-illustrated edition of this classic children’s book – far scarcer than the regular trade issue, with only 250 large-paper copies originally printed.
I am not a professional book dealer, but I will pack this volume with great care (boxed, well-padded, and protected from moisture) and am happy to provide additional photos on request.