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1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk
1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk

1909 Rare Book - At the Back of the North Wind illustrated by Maria L. Kirk

$150 USD - $150 USD
$150 USD
$150 USD - $150 USD
$150 USD

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A beautifully illustrated early twentieth-century edition of George MacDonald's beloved fantasy, featuring twelve colour illustrations by Maria L. Kirk, charming pictorial endpapers, and a striking red cloth binding decorated with an enchanting scene of Diamond and the North Wind.

Author: George MacDonald.
Illustrator: Maria L. Kirk.
Title: At the Back of the North Wind.
Publisher: Philadelphia & London: J. B. Lippincott Company, copyright 1909.
Edition: Sixth Edition, as stated on the half-title.
Language: English.
Pages: 352 pages.
Size: 8 x 6 inches.
Binding: Very good original red pictorial cloth, with gilt lettering and a delightful black-and-white illustration of Diamond and the North Wind on the front cover. Lettering to the spine. Upper edge gilt. The spine is lightly faded, with minor wear and handling marks consistent with age. The binding remains firm, attractive, and well preserved. Protected in a removable mylar cover. 
Content: Very good. The pages are generally clean and well preserved, with light age-related toning and occasional minor spotting. An early gift inscription dated October 7, 1916, appears on the front free endpaper. Complete, with all twelve colour illustrations present.
Illustrations: Twelve beautiful full-page colour illustrations by Maria L. Kirk, including the frontispiece, together with charming decorative chapter openings and pictorial endpapers printed in orange.

Estimate: USD $175–200.

The book: First published in 1871, At the Back of the North Wind is one of the most celebrated works of Scottish author George MacDonald, a pioneer of modern fantasy literature. The story follows Diamond, a gentle and compassionate young boy who befriends the mysterious North Wind, a beautiful and powerful figure who carries him on extraordinary journeys beyond the familiar world. Through their adventures, MacDonald explores kindness, suffering, imagination, faith, and the mysteries of life and death, weaving together a magical narrative of remarkable tenderness and philosophical depth.

This attractive edition is particularly desirable for its illustrations by Maria L. Kirk, whose delicate compositions and luminous colours beautifully capture the dreamlike atmosphere of MacDonald's story. The twelve full-page colour plates bring Diamond and the enigmatic North Wind vividly to life, while the decorative chapter headings, illustrated endpapers, and striking red pictorial cloth binding contribute to the book's exceptional visual appeal. A charming and complete copy of this much-loved classic, especially appealing to collectors of illustrated children's literature and the Golden Age of book illustration.

The author: George MacDonald (1824–1905) was a Scottish novelist, poet, and Christian minister whose imaginative writings helped establish the foundations of modern fantasy literature. Among his best-known works are Phantastes (1858), The Princess and the Goblin (1872), The Princess and Curdie (1883), and At the Back of the North Wind (1871). His stories combine the wonder of fairy tales with profound reflections on morality, spirituality, and the human experience.

MacDonald's influence extended far beyond his own lifetime. His imaginative vision was admired by later writers including C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Madeleine L'Engle. His ability to unite the everyday world with the mysterious and supernatural has ensured his lasting place among the great storytellers of children's and fantasy literature.

The illustrator: Maria Louise Kirk (1860–1938) was an American illustrator particularly admired for her contributions to children's books and classic literature during the Golden Age of Illustration. Her work is distinguished by graceful figures, richly coloured compositions, and a sensitive treatment of magical and romantic subjects. She illustrated numerous literary classics, including works by Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens, and George MacDonald.

In At the Back of the North Wind, Kirk's illustrations are especially well suited to MacDonald's imaginative world. Her ethereal portrayal of the North Wind and her tender depictions of Diamond convey the beauty, mystery, and emotional warmth of the narrative, making this edition a particularly appealing interpretation of the classic tale.

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