1920 First Edition - The Magic Whistle Illustrated by Florence Anderson

Author: E. Gordon Browne. Illustrated by Florence Anderson.
Title: The Magic Whistle and Other Stories.
Publisher: New York, Dodd, Mead and Company, 1920. First Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 9.5 x 7.5 inches.
Pages: 221 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good publisher’s original grey-blue cloth binding with a mounted color plate to front board; black lettering on front cover and spine (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover.
Content: Good content (bright, tight and clean, some light foxing and staining - as shown, some pages' outer margin edges cut short without affecting the text - as shown).
Illustrations: Includes six black&white and eight color plates by Florence Anderson, all present. The artwork is soft, whimsical, and distinctly Edwardian in tone, complementing the fairy tale and folk themes beautifully.

The book: This first edition of The Magic Whistle and Other Stories is a delightful early 20th-century children’s book, offering a trio of fantasy tales: "The Magic Whistle," "Little Dwarf Nose," and "Nutcracker and Mouse-King." These are presented in multiple parts, reflecting serialized storytelling. The edition is richly illustrated with enchanting plates by Florence Anderson, who evokes the magical realism and elegant fantasy of the period. Browne’s adaptations bring together elements of Arabian folklore, German Romanticism, and Christmas mythos in a volume that is both visually and narratively charming.

The author: E. Gordon Browne was known for his contributions to children’s literature in the early 20th century. He authored and edited several books aimed at young readers, often focusing on adventure, fairy tales, and moral lessons, written in a tone accessible to children but elevated by literary stylings.

The illustrator: Florence Mary Anderson (1873–1949) was a British illustrator and writer, celebrated for her contributions to children’s books during the Golden Age of Illustration. Her watercolor style often features soft pastels, ornate costume detail, and graceful figures that recall the work of contemporaries like Jessie M. King and Mabel Lucie Attwell. In The Magic Whistle, her art adds an ethereal and nostalgic quality that enhances the storytelling.