Wouldbegoods

NESBIT, E[dith]. The Wouldbegoods. Illustrated by Reginald B. Birch. NY and London: Harper & Brothers, 1901. 8vo, [x] 314pp + [4] advts. 16 halftone plates. Brick red cloth pictorially stamped in gilt, black, red, white, light green, and dark green. Spine ends a tad rubbed, corners less so, faint soiling and spotting across cloth, else an internally clean, bright copy.

First US edition and first edition with illustrations by Reginald Birch. The second novel about E. Nesbit’s adventurous Bastable children, highlighted by 16 lovely halftone illustrations by the artist perhaps best known for his illustrations of Francis Hodgson Burnett’s children’s books, especially Little Lord Fauntleroy. Nesbit’s loveable family gets into hilarious and imaginative escapades during their summer break of “banishment” at the Moat House in the British countryside. Once again, Nesbit uses the “anonymous” narration of Oswald to delightful effect!