PBA Galleries

viii, 100, [1] ff. Printed on rectos only. (8vo) 23x15.5 cm (9x6") original full Japan vellum over stiff boards, spine lettered in gilt, top edge gilt. No. X of XV copies printed on Japan paper, for the author. First Edition.

Rare presentation issue of one of Field's best known works. Inscribed with a poem on the front free endpaper to Canadian publisher Irving W. Way on Christmas day in the year of publication. In full: "To W.I. Way, Esq. Dear Way, I (who have heard you) know you are not much at singing. Yet I am sure you'll like the songs this little book is bringing. Your dainty wife will like them, too - will try them over, maybe. As at a cradle-side she sits and rocks her precious baby! And as for the dear little one (of lineage bibliopholic),* I'm sure these songs shall charm away all evil spells of colic. 'Tis ten to one, if he could voice his thoughts, the pretty child would, Comment this little book of mine which speaks my love of childhood! - Eugene Field. Chicago, December 25, 1894. *See what an awful blunder I have made in your lovely book! A plague on the man who first invented this scratchy Japanese paper! The word should be 'bibliopolic'." Also included is a laid in plate with Field's crest and an autograph letter, signed, from Field to Way on Way's Chicago letterhead. Way and Field were both members of the elite book-collecting club, The Duodecimos. BAL 5761 ("not seen").