Mrs. Henry De La Pasture [Elizabeth Lydia Rosabelle, Lady Clifford] — The Unlucky Family

London, Smith, Elder and Co, 1907 . First edition. Cloth. The first edition of this charming children's work, signed and with an original caricature sketch from illustrator Edward Tennyson Reed. The first edition of this work.In the very scarce publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper.To a front blank is a presentation inscription and original pencil sketch from English political cartoonist and illustrator Edward Tennyson Reed. The pencil sketch depicts a man with a monocle, named 'Mr. Chubb', the central character of the book.Inscribed by the illustrator: 'It is a great pleasure to me that this book is going to Miss Bassington. The illustrations were drawn under a month, in the intervals of much other work, so I must ask for lenient criticism! Yours most sincerely, ETR Dec. 14. 1907.With illustrations throughout from Reed.A charming work of children's fiction confirmed to be "one of the great classics of its genre" by English journalist and novelist Auberon Waugh.With a former owner's inscription, dated Christmas 1907, to the front free endpaper.Written by Elizabeth Lydia Rosabelle, Lady Clifford, also known as Mrs Henry de la Pasture, an English novelist, dramatist and children's writer best remembered for this work. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, fine. Inscription to front free endpaper. Inscription and original sketch to front blank. Dust wrapper front wrap detached but present. Back strip significantly age toned, with wrap perimeters lightly age toned. Chipping and small losses to back strip head and tail. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Near Fine . Ill.: E. T. Reed [Edward Tennyson Reed]. Near Fine/Good Only.