Marchpane Children’s Books recently launched a new website to offer its selection of collectable children’s and illustrated books, dating from the 18th century to the present.
Among its highlights is a fine copy of the first illustrated edition of Oscar Wilde’s gothic horror The Picture of Dorian Gray. Offered for £2000 in a scarce dust-wrapper, it features seven drawings by Paul Thiriat of Paris, engraved on wood by Eugene Dété with titled tissue guards.
It was published in Paris by Charles Carrington.
According to a tipped-in note on the half-title page, the edition in question was intended to be published in 1908 but the artist fell ill after the text had been printed, delaying its release for two years. The date in the book is 1908 as originally printed.
Founded in 1989, Marchpane, in London’s Cecil Court, has a wide selection of books by and about Lewis Carroll as well as a selection of children’s favourites including Roald Dahl, Beatrix Potter, Harry Potter and Winnie the Pooh.
