The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley first edition second issue 1863

KINGSLEY, Charles. The Water-Babies: A Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby. London & Cambridge: Macmillan and Co., 1863.
 
First edition, second issue, without the L'Envoi leaf. 8vo, 350pp. With two full page illustrations by J. Noel Paton, R.S.A., including frontispiece. Original dark green cloth, upper board with gilt double-rule border and central gilt vignette, spine lettered in gilt, all edges gilt.
 
Very good. The original cloth remains attractive and the gilt is generally bright, with some rubbing, marking and wear to the extremities. Front and rear inner hinges cracked but holding firmly. The cloth is beginning to lift along part of the rear joint. Several gatherings sit a little proud at the fore-edge. Some spotting and foxing, heavier to the guard for the frontispiece. Early ownership inscription dated 21 March 1864 to the front endpaper.
 
First edition, second issue of Kingsley's enduring Victorian children's fantasy, published in book form in 1863. The work combines fairy tale, social criticism and contemporary scientific debate, following the chimney-sweep Tom through his transformation into a "water-baby". A decent example in the publisher's original decorative cloth.