E. Nesbit [Edith Nesbit] — The Magic City

London, Macmillan, 1910 . Cloth. A lovely example of the scarce first edition of Edith Nesbit's fantastical novel about a young boy transported to a magical city, and entrusted with many dangerous tasks in order to help its inhabitants. The scarce first edition, first impression in book form of this work, which initially appeared as a serial in The Strand MagazineIllustrated with a frontispiece and twenty-six plates by H. R. Millar. Collated, complete.After his sister Helen marries and begins a new family, young Philip Haldane feels displaced and builds a model city out of toys and household items to distract himself. By magic he is transported into this "Magic City," which is alive with the toy-figures, blocks, books and other items he used to build it.By magic he is transported into this city, and is told about a prophecy of a "Deliverer" who must perform seven "Great Deeds", including slaying a dragon, freeing the city from a pretender, and rousing the Great Sloth.With an advertisement leaf to the rear. In the publisher's original decorative cloth binding. Boards bright. Back strip age toned, with small closed tear to back strip head. Hinges a touch strained, but firmly held. Internally, firmly bound. Pages exceptionally clean and bright. Very Good . Ill.: H. R. Millar. Very Good .