Frances Hodgson Burnett /Reginald Birch - Little Lord Fauntleroy (First Ed.) - 1886

First edition, first issue. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1886. With 26 illustrations (12 of these are full-page) by Reginald Birch and 14 pages advertisements for 'Scribner's Books for the Young'.

First Edition issue points are existing: with DeVinne Press imprint on page 210, signature mark "12" on page 177 and "14" on page 209.

Book is in a good to very good condition regarding its age with no dustjacket as published. The boards and the spine are rubbed, bumped and show signs of use and shelf wear (see photos). Dedication to former owner on front free endpaper. Book has a crack to the rear inside hinge but the connections between text block and boards are still intact. Slightly spotting and miniscule closed tears to some of the pages. Dusting to the edges of the text block.

In 1886, Frances Hodgson Burnett published Little Lord Fauntleroy, her first children's book, which was enthusiastically received by both the public and the critics and remained number one on the bestseller list for a long time. The idea to write a children's book came from her younger son Vivian, who wished his mother would write something for him and his brother Lionel.The first edition was illustrated by Reginald Birch, whose drawings were inspired by a photograph of little Vivian and set fashion trends.

'The Little Lord' brought Hodgson Burnett great profit, and her theatrical version of the book registered equally great success, both in England and in America, where her play toured for years.