Books

London: Smith, Elder and Company. 1858. First edition, first printing of a cornerstone of nineteenth century fantastic literature. First edition, first printing of a cornerstone of nineteenth century fantastic literature. Publisher's original green pebble grained cloth, decorated in blind to the upper and lower panels, titles and small foliage illustration in gilt to the spine. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm with a bumping and a little softening to the spine tips. The cloth, faded at the spine is otherwise bright and fresh. The contents are entirely complete, clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. The inner front hinge is cracked but holding. Binder's ticket (Westley's, London) to the lower rear pastedown. Publisher's 16 page catalogue to the rear [in the first state], dated September 1858. A very attractive, entirely unsophisticated example, scarce thus. The Scottish author's first book of prose and a cornerstone of…

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.

First editions of 'Phantastes' published by Smith, Elder & Co. in 1858 would likely be bound in the original publisher's cloth, feature the date on the title page, and have no mention of later print runs or editions.