1956 First Illustrated Edition by Shepard - The Secret Garden by F.H. Burnett

Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett. Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard.
Title: The Secret Garden.
Publisher: London, The Reprint Society, 1956. First and only edition illustrated by Shepard.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 8" x 5.5".
Pages: 250 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good original publisher's green cloth binding with charming silver-stamped vignette of a rabbit and tree on the front board and spine. The binding is clean and tight, in very good condition. The original illustrated dust jacket is present and complete, with minor edge wear, small closed tears and some toning to the rear panel - as shown —very good and bright overall (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, toning or staining - as shown).  
Illustrations: Beautifully illustrated throughout by Ernest H. Shepard with numerous full-page and in-text black-and-white line drawings, capturing the gentle charm and emotional nuance of Burnett’s story.

The book: This is a lovely mid-century edition of The Secret Garden, one of the most beloved classics of children’s literature. Originally published in 1911, this 1956 Reprint Society edition is distinguished by being the first and only edition with the illustrations of Ernest H. Shepard, famous for his work on Winnie-the-Pooh and The Wind in the Willows. His delicate and expressive pen work breathes gentle life into Mary, Colin, Dickon, and the rejuvenating world of the hidden garden.

The author: Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849–1924) was an Anglo-American novelist and playwright. Known for her stories exploring transformation and emotional healing, The Secret Garden stands as her most enduring work, weaving themes of loss, isolation, growth, and renewal into a narrative that has touched generations of readers.

The illustrator: Ernest H. Shepard (1879–1976) is one of the most cherished illustrators of children’s literature. His signature pen-and-ink style brought to life such timeless works as Winnie-the-Pooh and The Wind in the Willows. In The Secret Garden, his illustrations beautifully complement Burnett’s tale, enhancing its Victorian charm with gentle humor and emotional depth.