Books

London: Smith, Elder, 1858. First edition.. 19th century half-calf, spine elaborately gilt, titled on a panel of black. Marbled end papers. Some slight bubbling and wear to the cloth, bumping and shelf wear to edges, generally very good. Ownership signature on the front end paper and again, very small, on the title. This copy is bound without the ads at the rear, but does have the half-title leaf with the long quotation from Novalis on the verso. The front hinge is very tender, splitting at the top, but still holding sound. A classic of 19th century allegorical fantasy, notable for having influenced Lewis and Tolkien.

Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women is a fantasy novel by Scottish writer George MacDonald, first published in London in 1858. The story revolves around the character Anodos and his dream-like adventures in fairyland which serve as an allegory to the inner spiritual journey of self-discovery. This work had a profound influence on later authors, including C.S. Lewis.