“ONE OF THE GREAT CHILDREN’S NOVELS OF ALL TIME”: FIRST EDITION OF THE SECRET GARDEN, WITH A TIPPED-IN AUTOGRAPH CARD INSCRIBED AND DATED BY FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT
BURNETT, Frances Hodgson. The Secret Garden. New York: Frederick A. Stokes, (1911). Octavo, original blind-decorated blue cloth, top edge gilt.
First edition of this classic of children’s literature, accompanied by a autograph card entirely in the author’s hand reading: “Yours Sincerely Frances Hodgson Burnett 1905.”
Burnett began writing this beloved story of the redemptive power of nature in three children’s lives “in 1909, while laying out a garden at a new home she was building on Long Island… The Secret Garden, her best and most enduring work… never ceases to gain new admirers, and has been called… ‘the most satisfying children’s book” (Carpenter & Prichard, 89). “One of the great children’s novels of all time” (Zipes et al., 2185). The first edition was issued simultaneously in two styles: in blue cloth without illustrations (style A), as here; and in green cloth with frontispiece and three plates inserted (style B). BAL 2115A. See Cotsen 1751. An English Library, 93. Owner signature.
Interior fine, only most minute rubbing to spine ends. A nearly fine unrestored copy.