1924 First Edition - At The Back of The North Wind Illustrated by F. D. Bedford

Author: George MacDonald. Illustrated by Frank C. (D.) Bedford.
Title: At the Back of the North Wind.
Publisher: New York, The Macmillan Company, 1924. First Edition illustrated by Francis Donkin Bedford.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 7.5 x 6 inches.
Pages: 376 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good original publisher's illustrated blue cloth with elaborate black and blue pictorial design to the front cover and spine. Gilt titling to the spine still bright. The rear cover is plain blue cloth (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: Profusely illustrated with a striking color frontispiece and 12 full-page black-and-white illustrations throughout the text by Frank C. Bedford. All illustrations complete and well-printed, with vivid line detail and emotional depth characteristic of Bedford's style.

The book: At the Back of the North Wind is George MacDonald’s most enchanting children’s fantasy, weaving a poignant tale of a young boy named Diamond and his ethereal guide, the North Wind. Originally published in 1871, this 1924 Macmillan First Edition illustrated by Francis Donkin Bedford is beautifully produced, capturing the mystical and spiritual elements of the story through evocative illustrations by Frank C. Bedford. The narrative blends dream and reality, theology and fairy tale, capturing the Victorian fascination with life, death, and the unseen world. A classic in the tradition of literary fantasy, it inspired generations of writers, including C.S. Lewis.

The author: George MacDonald (1824–1905) was a Scottish author, poet, and Christian minister. A pioneer of modern fantasy literature, he is best remembered for his profound fairy tales and children’s stories, including The Princess and the Goblin and Phantastes. His writings deeply influenced C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Madeleine L’Engle, making him one of the foundational figures of the fantasy genre. MacDonald’s works combine imagination with spiritual insight, promoting themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the transformative power of love.

The illustrator: Frank C. Bedford (1864–1932), often credited as D. Bedford, was a British illustrator renowned for his delicate and expressive pen work in children's books and literary classics. His illustrations for At the Back of the North Wind are especially praised for their atmospheric quality and emotional resonance, effectively complementing the dreamlike and moral undercurrents of MacDonald’s story.