1868 Scarce Book - Dealings with the Fairies by George Macdonald, Illustrated

A scarce and highly desirable early edition of George MacDonald’s Dealings with the Fairies — a cornerstone of 19th-century fantasy literature, beautifully illustrated by Arthur Hughes.

A foundational work that would influence C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, and the entire modern fantasy tradition.

Author: George MacDonald. (illustrated by Arthur Hughes).
Title: Dealings with the Fairies.
Publisher: London, Alexander Strahan & Co., 56 Ludgate Hill, 1868. Second Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 5.5" x 4.5".
Pages: 308 pages + publisher’s catalogue.
Binding: Attractive original green cloth, richly decorated in gilt and black, featuring an elaborate geometric and floral panel with central gilt medallion. Spine gilt with floral motifs and title (hinges fine, light rubbing to extremities, minor corner wear, slight darkening to spine as shown). All edges gilt. Original coated endpapers with some mottling and a small abrasion. A well-preserved and visually striking example of early MacDonald bindings.
Content: Very good content — bright, tight, and clean, with only light foxing or toning. Early ownership inscription dated June 1869 on the half-title.
Illustrations: Complete with the full suite of 12 evocative black-and-white full-page illustrations by Arthur Hughes, whose Pre-Raphaelite sensibility perfectly complements MacDonald’s visionary tales.

Estimate: (USD 2,000–2,500)

The book: First published in 1867, Dealings with the Fairies gathers five of MacDonald’s most enduring tales: The Light Princess, The Giant’s Heart, The Shadows, Cross Purposes, and The Golden Key.

This 1868 edition preserves the early Victorian form of the work and the celebrated illustrations by Arthur Hughes, offering a particularly appealing example of the book as originally conceived.

Literary significance: George MacDonald is widely regarded as one of the founding figures of modern fantasy. His imaginative and symbolic fairy tales had a profound influence on later authors, including C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Works such as The Golden Key remain central to the development of the genre.

Collector’s note: Early editions of MacDonald’s fairy tales, especially those illustrated by Arthur Hughes, are increasingly sought after. Copies in well-preserved original bindings, retaining their decorative gilt and structural integrity, are particularly desirable among collectors of Victorian fantasy and illustrated literature.

The author: George MacDonald (1824–1905) was a Scottish novelist, poet, and minister whose work helped define the spiritual and imaginative dimensions of fantasy literature. Admired by Lewis Carroll, W. H. Auden, C. S. Lewis, and many others, his writings continue to resonate with readers seeking both wonder and philosophical depth.

The illustrator: Arthur Hughes (1832–1915), associated with the Pre-Raphaelite circle, is celebrated for his delicate line work and atmospheric compositions. His illustrations for MacDonald’s fairy tales are among his most enduring contributions to Victorian book art.

✔ Early edition of a foundational fantasy work
✔ Illustrated by Arthur Hughes
✔ Influential on Tolkien and C. S. Lewis
✔ Attractive original gilt-decorated binding