The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. by LEWIS, C. S - 1950: A Story for Children.

London: Geoffrey Bles,, 1950. Handsomely bound copy of the first Narnia book First edition, first impression, of the first book in the Narnia series. "A whole generation has grown up of people who read the Narnia stories in childhood, and have passed on the secret to their own children in turn. Whatever Lewis's future reputation as a theologian or literary critic, he is certain of a place among the classic authors of children's books" (Wilson, p. 220). Octavo. Finely bound by the Chelsea Bindery in green morocco, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, raised bands, single gilt rule to covers, pictorial onlay of Lucy and Mr Tumnus walking through the woods set within oval frame on the front cover, a further onlay on the rear cover of the children tumbling out of the wardrobe, roll to turn-ins gilt, marbled endpapers, gilt edges. Colour-printed frontispiece and line drawings in the text by Pauline Baynes. A little spotting to prelims, otherwise a fine copy. Grolier Children's 100, 90. Andrew Norman Wilson, C. S. Lewis: A Biography, 1990.