Jack and the Bean-Stalk

London: Macmillan, 1886 . First edition. Leather. Fine. 8.5" by 7". Randolph Caldecott. A beautifully bound copy of the first edition of Hallam Tennyson's 'Jack and the Bean-Stalk', in a half morocco Zaehnsdorf binding, illustrated by Randolph Caldecott. This classic English fairy-tale first appeared in 1734, but was popularised in poetry throughout the nineteenth century. This is the first edition of Hallam Tennyson's rendering of the work, arranged in English hexameter.In a lovely half morocco signed binding by Zaehnsdorf, and with the publisher's original front wrap bound in.Written by Hallam Tennyson, the son of Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson, and dedicated to his father. Hallam later served as the second governor-general of Australia.Illustrated throughout by popular Victorian era illustrator Randolph Caldecott. This was Caldecott's final work; the publisher elected to utilise Caldecott's incomplete sketches for this work, even though died prior to completing them.With the bookplate of Charles Plumptre Johnson to the front pastedown, and with the bookplate of W. A. Foyle of Beeleigh Abbey to the recto of the front endpaper. Johnson was the son of the Physician-Extraordinary to Queen Victoria. Himself he was known as a yachter, owning a fine fleet of modern yawls, including the 'Moonbeam'. His impressive library extended to some 6,000 volumes.A fine copy of this much-loved children's tale. In a half morocco signed binding by Zaehnsdorf, with paper covered boards. Externally, fine. Bookplates to front pastedown and front free endpaper. Publisher's original front wrap bound in. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Fine