At The Back Of The North Wind by MacDonald, George - 1919

Philadelphia: David McKay, 1919. 1st Edition thus, with correct front cover. A Good Hardcover. Good/No Jacket. Illustrations by Jessie Wilcox Smith.

Written as fantasy centered on a boy named Diamond and his adventures with the North Wind. Diamond travels together with the mysterious Lady North Wind through the nights.

The book includes the fairy tale Little Daylight, which has been pulled out as an independent work, or separately, added to other collections of his fairy tales.

Publisher's cloth, color illustration mounted on front cover Lightly soiled and worn, illustration rubbed. Both hinges starting, front more-so, though binding feels tight and square; contents very good, illustrated title lightly foxed at top. Lacking dust jacket. 1st Edition thus, with correct front cover, gilt lettering on spine, gilt top edge, without "Printed in the United States of America," and with covers measuring 24.5 x 18.5 cm. 8 color plates, color title, and cover illustrations by Smith.. First published in book form in 1871. In this book, MacDonald touches on many theological and philosophical questions, especially concerning theodicy [Is God Good].

Background Information

Jessie Willcox Smith was a United States illustrator famous for her work in magazines such as Ladies Home Journal and for her illustrations for children's books. A student of Howard Pyle, first at Drexel and then at the Brandywine School.

She was a prolific contributor to books and magazines during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, illustrating stories and articles for clients such as Century, Collier's Weekly, Leslie's Weekly, Harper's, McClure's, Scribners, and the Ladies' Home Journal.

Ref: Nudelman A53