London: Macmillan & Co. Ltd., 1902. First Edition, First Impression.
Quarto. A finely bound first edition of Kipling’s Just So Stories, his enduring collection of fantastical origin tales for children. Bound in sumptuous full red morocco, the upper cover with an elaborate gilt and black onlay of Kipling’s famous “Elephant’s Child,” a design that encapsulates the spirit of the work. The spine is richly gilt in compartments with floral tools, gilt lettering, and the date at foot. Complete with hand-sewn silk headbands, striking “old Dutch” hand-marbled endpapers, and all edges gilt. A work of exquisite craftsmanship that elevates an already iconic text.
The first edition was published in October 1902 in a print run of only 7,500 copies, which sold quickly, securing Kipling’s reputation as one of the great voices in children’s literature as well as poetry and prose. Copies of the true first edition are increasingly scarce, and those presented in such a high-quality binding are especially sought after.
Just So Stories holds a unique place in literary history, combining Kipling’s vivid imagination, rhythmic prose, and playful use of language with his own distinctive illustrations. Stories such as How the Leopard Got His Spots and The Elephant’s Child have become cornerstones of children’s storytelling, their cultural impact enduring well beyond the Edwardian nursery into modern imagination.
A magnificent example, uniting literary significance with the very finest in bookbinding.
