Shelf Life: Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper from the Library of Stanley J. Seeger and Christopher Cone

Kenneth Grahame The Wind in the Willows. London: Methuen and Co., 1908 FIRST EDITION, 8vo, frontispiece by Graham Robertson, original green pictorial cloth gilt, top edge gilt, others uncut, housed in modern green half morocco slipcase, lacking dust-jacket, slipcase slightly sunned "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing—absolutely nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." FIRST EDITION OF ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS BOOKS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. "It can be seriously argued that [The Wind in the Willows] is not a children's book at all. Despite the presence of Rat, Toad, Mole, and Badger as central characters, it can be read as an account of threat of social change and the destruction of rural England, and of the response of a generation..." (Peter Hunt, ODNB). PROVENANCE: "J. Richardson | 1913", ink ownership inscription to front free endpaper; "M.S. Slocum | Pasadena", pencil ownership inscription to front pastedown LITERATURE: Cahoon, Children's Literature no. 269

View 1 of Lot 65: Kenneth Grahame | The Wind in the Willows, 1908, first edition

kenneth grahame | the wind in the willows, 1908, first edition

E.H. Shepard "Saga of the Seas", c. 1955 275 x 203 mm (frame 418 x 307 mm), gouache, crayon, and ink, signed by the artist in black ink on lower right-hand side, and captioned in pencil on lower margin "Dream Days 'Saga of the Seas'", verso inscribed by the artist in ink ("EH Shepard | Long Meadow | Longdown | Guildford | Surrey"), framed and glazed Original illustration for Kenneth Grahame's Dream Days (Bodley Head, 1930). PROVENANCE: Bought from Sally Hunter Fine Art Limited, gallery label to verso

View 1 of Lot 132: E.H. Shepard | "Saga of the Seas", original illustration for Kenneth Grahame's Dream Days, c.1955, signed by the artist

e.h. shepard | "saga of the seas", original illustration for kenneth grahame's dream days, c.1955, signed by the artist

A <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/luxury/books-&amp;-manuscripts/book/first-edition?locale=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">first edition</a>, first printing of <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=The%20Wind%20in%20the%20Willows&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Wind in the Willows</a>.<ul><li>Kenneth Grahame (English).</li><li>United Kingdom: Methuen, 1908.</li><li>Bound in green fabric with gilt title.</li></ul> The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame is a classic children’s novel first published in 1908. It follows the adventures of four anthropomorphic animals—Mole, Rat, Badger, and the reckless Mr. Toad—in the English countryside. The story explores friendship, adventure, and the clash between rural tranquility and modern progress. Toad’s obsession with motorcars leads to trouble, including imprisonment and daring escapes. Meanwhile, his friends try to guide him toward wisdom. Grahame’s lyrical prose and vivid descriptions create a timeless tale celebrating nature, camaraderie, and the joys of a simple life.

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