The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe

by Lewis, C S

First published in 1950 by Geoffrey Bles in the UK, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is the first published and best known of the C.S. Lewis' popular Narnia series.

The American edition was published later in 1950 by Macmillan. Due to labor union laws the type had to be reset so Lewis took the opportunity to make a few changes to the American edition: Edmund and Susan are interested in snakes and foxes instead of foxes and rabbits in chapter 1, the White Witch's chief of police is Fenris Ulf instead of Maugrim in Chapter 6, and the “fire-stones of the Secret Hill” is “the trunk of the World Ash Tree” in chapter 13 of the American Edition. MacMillan first edition, first printing states “First Printing”.

In 1994 when HarperCollins took over publication they reverted to the original British printing.

The original edition was illustrated by Pauline Baynes, and the British edition had 43 illustrations, while the American lesser. Subsequent American editions had significantly fewer; the most popular edition which was published between 1970 and 1994 by HarperCollins had only 17 severely cropped illustrations.

The story came together from a few pieces of inspiration. From the age of 16 onwards Lewis had in his mind an image “a Faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood.” Then in 1939, shortly before WWII, three school girls, Margaret, Mary and Katherine, were evacuated to Lewis' country home to escape the bombing in London, inspiring the characters of Susan, Peter, and Edmund, who go to live with the old professor. He began writing the story that year, and finished in 1949, multiple personal dreams about lions bringing the story together through the character of Aslan. Through his mixture of mythology and talking animals Lewis created the magical world of Narnia that appears to the children as they step through the wardrobe.

While writing the first novel Lewis was in a writing group called the Inklings with J.R.R. Tolkien who was working on The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien and Lewis were both professors at Oxford during the 1920s, and Lewis, who was an atheist at the time, was heavily influenced by Tolkien, who was Roman Catholic, so much so he eventually not only converted to Christianity but became known for his devout faith and Apologetic writing – using logic to defend his faith - in such works as Mere Christianity, and The Screwtape Letters. Tolkien was rumored to not have approved of Lewis' Narnia series, reportedly 'horrified' that he mixed so many difference mythologies together and that his world was not a cohesive and consistent imaginary world.

Tolkien wasn't alone in his disapproval of Lewis' works. Lewis' publisher, Geoffrey Bles, was concerned the Narnia novels wouldn't sell, and that they would damage Lewis' reputation. Others felt that the stories with their Christian themes were trying to indoctrinate children, and were too fantastical for older children. Today The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is one of the most popular children's books in print, and is included in many top 100 book lists.

The Narnia Series is comprised of seven books: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew, and The Last Battle. Chronologically The Magician's Nephew is the first book in the series, although The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe was written first. The series wasn't in chronological order until 1956 when a young reader named Laurence suggested it be read that way.   -

First Edition Identification

First published in 1950 by Geoffrey Bles in the UK, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. The original edition was illustrated by Pauline Baynes, and the British edition had 43 illustrations. The first edition will have "First Published 1950" on the copyright page. Publisher's original blue cloth. 

The American edition was published later in 1950 by Macmillan, and has "First Printing' on the copyright page.The American edition was published later in 1950 by Macmillan. Due to labor union laws the type had to be reset so Lewis took the opportunity to make a few changes to the American edition: Edmund and Susan are interested in snakes and foxes instead of foxes and rabbits in chapter 1, the White Witch's chief of police is Fenris Ulf instead of Maugrim in Chapter 6, and the “fire-stones of the Secret Hill” is “the trunk of the World Ash Tree” in chapter 13 of the American Edition. MacMillan first edition, first printing states “First Printing”.

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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

by C.S. Lewis

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First Hague-illustrated edition
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1983
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LEWIS, C[live] S[taples]. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Illustrated by Michael Hague. NY: Macmillan [1983]. 8vo, viii 184pp. Red cloth stamped in gold foil. Orange endpapers; one double-page and 12 full-page color illustrations. Slightly rubbed at top and bottom edge, else a fine copy in original color pictorial dust jacket (some light rubbing as always with this jacket… Read more about this item
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THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
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THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

by C S LEWIS

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1998
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Hardcover
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0001857010
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LONDON : COLLINS , 1998 Illustrated Paper covered boards repeating the design of the dust jacket, 300 x 245 mm approx. Publisher's coloured end papers, Un - paginated [48]pp. Illustrated in colour and monochrome by Christian Birmingham. First Published in this edition in 1998 with carefully abridged text by Amanda Benjamin the copy offered by us is of the… Read more about this item
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The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
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The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

by C S Lewis

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1962
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UK: Geoffrey Bles, 1962. First Edition 5th or later Printing. Cloth. Very Good ++/Very Good++. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Pauline Baynes. 1st Edition 6th Imp 1962 In the same format and design as the 1st Edition. The book is very good++ and in generally very bright condition. Contents good. Small inscription to endpaper.… Read more about this item
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

by Lewis, C.S.

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1950
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Macmillan, 1950. First Edition. Hardcover. Used - Very Good/Very Good. Stated First Edition, First Printing. Not price-clipped ($2.50 price intact). Published by Macmillan, 1950. Octavo. Light blue cloth boards stamped in dark blue with leaping dear embossed illustration to front panel. Book is very good; clean with no writing or names. Binding tight and pages crisp. Corners sharp… Read more about this item
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

by Lewis, C. S.

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1950
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London: Geoffrey Bles, 1950. First Edition. Good. First British edition, first printing. Bound in publisher's pale green cloth with titles in gilt on spine; lacking the dust jacket. Good. Lean to spine. Cloth unevenly faded, foxed and worn at extremities. Previous owner gift inscription to front free endpaper, pages occasionally thumbed. The first book in the Narnia series.… Read more about this item
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Journey to Narnia in the classic children’s book by C.S. Lewis, beloved by kids and parents: Book 2 (The Chronicles of Narnia)

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Journey to Narnia in the classic children’s book by C.S. Lewis, beloved by kids and parents: Book 2 (The Chronicles of Narnia)

by Lewis, C. S.

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0007323123
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THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

by Lewis, C.S. (novel); Baynes, Pauline (illustrations)

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1962
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London: Geoffrey Bles, 1962. Lewis' most beloved novel, a perennial favorite among generations of children and basis for a number of film adaptations. Sixth Impression. Octavo; pale blue cloth, with titles stamped in silver on spine; dustjacket; 173pp; illus. Trivial wrinkle to cloth at crown, touch of foxing to upper edge of text, with faint evidence of a tiny… Read more about this item
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The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

by C. S. Lewis

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1950
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Geoffrey Bles, 1950. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. BOOK IS IN NEAR FINE OR BETTER CONDITION BEAUTIFULLY BOUND IN FULL, CRUSHED MOROCCO WITH BRIGHT GILT RULE TO BOARDS, SIX COMPARTMENTS AND FIVE RAISED BANDS TO SPINE WITH BRIGHT GILT DETAILS AND TITLE. BINDING AND HINGES ARE VERY GOOD, MARBLED END PAPERS AND PASTE DOWNS. NO LOOSE OR MISSING… Read more about this item
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Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe

by C. S. Lewis, Illustrated by Michael Hague

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Book. Fine. No Binding. Signed by Author(s). F. Original Art a pencil drawing The Unicorn from the book The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe. Signed and dated November 1990. A show piece..
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The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
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The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

by C. S. Lewis

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1950
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Hardcover book with no dust jacket. Inside book in exceptional condition, appears never read, as if in mint condition. Binding and spine in very good condition. Hardcover has wear on edges (see photos), with hardcover bottom of spine has significant wear on corner edge. See all photos.
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The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

by C. S. Lewis

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0060556501
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 2)

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 2)

by C. S. Lewis

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ISBN 10
0007442483
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Hardback. New. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has enchanted readers for generations and now will delight younger children as a picture book. Brought to life through Christian Birmingham's stunning illustrations, this is a magical winter story for all the family.
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The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
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The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

by Lewis, C. S.

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Used - Good
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Published
1956
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Hardcover
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London: Geoffrey Bles 1956. 8vo.Illustrated. 173 pp., Hardcover with split dustjacket. Jacket which is edge worn with some tears and patches of loss, particularly to the corners and spine ends. Slight marks to the jacket including marks in pencil to the front board and staining to the rear. Sunning to the spine with patches to the head and tail, boards… Read more about this item
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The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
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The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

by C S Lewis

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Used - Very Good ++
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Third Ediiton 1st Printing
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1987
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UK: Collins, 1987. Third Ediiton 1st Printing. Cloth. Very Good ++/Near Fine. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Pauline Baynes. 3rd Edition 1987. New Publication with new commissioned wrapper design, Illustrations by Pauline Baynes. The book is very good++ and bright. Contents good. Endpaper with label mark. The complete wrapper is near fine and … Read more about this item
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

by Lewis, C.S.

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Used - Near Fine
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1st Edition
Published
1958
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London, United Kingdom: Geoffrey Bles, 1958. Book. Near Fine. Hardcover. 1st Edition. First UK Edition, Fourth printing ( Fourth impression) 173 pp. Very good plus to Near Fine, tight binding. clean pages, unmarked, a touch of fade to th spine.The jacket is present and complete, not price clipped, it has light chipping to the front panel. rubbing to… Read more about this item
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THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE : A STORY FOR CHILDREN.

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE : A STORY FOR CHILDREN.

by LEWIS, C.S. (Clive Staples), 1898-1963 :

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London : Geoffrey Bles, (1950). First edition. Illustrations and colour frontispiece by Pauline Baynes. The first and best-known of the Narnia chronicles. "It is a kind of modern fairy tale about four children evacuated to an old house in the country during the war. They discover that merely by stepping into a wardrobe they have access to a wonderland of… Read more about this item
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The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
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The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

by Lewis, C.S.

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2nd Edition
Published
1954
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Geoffrey Bles, London, 1954. 2nd Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/Very Good. Second UK edition. Book near fine in a very good dust jacket. Small piece cut out at bottom of front flap corner. Previous owner's inscription on front free end paper.
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe : A Story for Children
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe : A Story for Children

by Lewis, C. S.

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First Edition
Published
1950
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Full Morocco
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London: Geoffrey Bles 1950. 8vo. First Edition. 173 pp. Full navy blue morocco with silver lampost illustration to front board, and raised bands, gilt lettering and borders to spine in a blue slipcase; maroon endpapers, all edges gilt. Beautifully bound by the Chelsea Bindery. Minor smudge marks to slipcase. Internally and externally fine, clean and bright. Colour frontispiece and numerous… Read more about this item
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe : A Story for Children
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe : A Story for Children

by Lewis, C. S.

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First Edition
Published
1950
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Full Morocco
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London: Geoffrey Bles 1950. 8vo. First Edition. 173 pp. Recent full dark green morocco, with raised bands, gilt devices and lettering to spine; marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Externally fine and bright. Minor spots to fore-edge but otherwise internally very clean. Colour frontispiece and numerous black & white illustrations by Pauline Baynes. The first volume published by Lewis in his… Read more about this item
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: A Celebration of the First Edition

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: A Celebration of the First Edition

by C. S. Lewis

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Hardback
ISBN 10
0061715050
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