1894 First Edition - Miss Mackerell Skye, A Fairy Tale for Young and Old

Author: Herbert S. Squance. Illustrated by A. D. McCormick.
Title: Miss Mackerell Skye. A Fairy Tale for Young and Old.
Publisher: London, T. Fisher Unwin, 1894. First Edition. 
Language: Text in English.
Size: 7.5 x 5.5 inches.
Pages: 150 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good. It is beautifully bound in the original red pictorial cloth binding, richly gilt on the spine and front board, featuring an elaborate illustration of a fairyland scene with nymphs dancing in a moonlit lake. The spine features a smaller vignette of a seated fairy (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover.
Content:  Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing or staining - as shown).
Illustrations: Illustrated with four charming black-and-white full-page drawings by A. D. McCormick, including illustrations such as The Voyage to Cloudland, The Cochin China Cat, and On the Road to the Moon. These illustrations beautifully complement the whimsical and imaginative nature of the story.

The book: A rare First Edition of this Victorian fantasy book for children, Miss Mackerell Skye offers a delightful journey through Cloudland, guided by the imaginative prose of Herbert S. Squance. Its dreamlike narrative follows Evelyn Mackerell Skye and her companions through ethereal adventures among stars, castles in the air, and mysterious lunar landscapes. First published in 1894, the tale blends gentle satire, childhood fancy, and allegory in a manner reminiscent of Lewis Carroll or George MacDonald. The elaborate cover design and illustrations by A. D. McCormick enhance the book’s collectible appeal, making it a desirable gem for collectors of Victorian fairy tales and illustrated children's books.

The author: Herbert S. Squance remains an elusive literary figure, known almost exclusively for this imaginative fairy tale. His style captures the innocence and wonder of late Victorian children’s literature, and Miss Mackerell Skye stands as his contribution to the genre—a lyrical blend of fantasy and gentle moral lessons.

The illustrator: A. D. McCormick (fl. late 19th century) was a British illustrator and artist recognized for his pen-and-ink drawings, often featured in children's books and magazines. His delicate line work and fantastical imagination bring life to the pages of Miss Mackerell Skye, capturing the magical essence of Cloudland with grace and whimsy.