E. Nesbit — The Railway Children

London, Wells, Gardner, Darton & Co. 1906 . First edition. Cloth. An extremely scarce and sought-after first edition of E. Nesbit's beloved children's tale, with the original, charming illustrations by C. E. Brock. The first edition. With no later editions stated. Illustrated with a frontispiece, vignette title page, and nineteen plates.Collated, complete.Edith Nesbit's classic and much beloved children's novel, concerning three siblings who move from London to a house near a railway named 'The Three Chimneys', after their father is falsely accused of spying. The conflict in this book is based on the Dreyfus Affair and the then ongoing Russo-Japanese War.Illustrated by C. E. Brock.Rebound in maroon cloth, with renewed endpapers. Bound without the publisher's advertisements, retaining the half title. With an ink inscription of 'JS carbon copy' and 'John Sibley' to the half title and following page. Rebound in maroon cloth, with renewed endpapers. Externally, sound, with rubbing to the extremities, causing some small tears to the spine ends. Light marking to cloth, with a little discolouration to the spine. Hinges are strained, particularly to the front, with cords visible after front free endpaper. Internally, binding is a little strained in places, with p73-4 disbound but present. Ink inscription to half title and blank following. Pages are bright, with light scattered spotting. Good Only . Ill.: C. E. Brock. Good Only .