Wind in the Willows Bayntun Riviere Fine Binding Full Calf Leather AEG 1950 For Sale

Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard
London: Methuen & Co., 1950
Ninety-Sixth Edition
Signed Bayntun-Riviere Full Blue Calf Leather Binding
All Edges Gilt

A handsome Bayntun-Riviere fine binding of Kenneth Grahame’s beloved children’s classic The Wind in the Willows, illustrated throughout by Ernest H. Shepard.

This copy has been bound in full polished blue calf leather by Bayntun-Riviere of Bath, one of the best-known English bookbinding firms of the twentieth century. The binding is signed on the front turn-in:

Bound by Bayntun (Riviere), Bath, England

The binding is especially attractive, with a vivid blue calf leather exterior, gilt-ruled boards, a richly gilt-decorated spine, and contrasting red and tan leather lettering labels. The text block is finished with all edges gilt, and the interior is completed with marbled endpapers and gilt-decorated turn-ins.

Full blue calf leather binding
Signed Bayntun-Riviere binding
Rich gilt spine decoration
Contrasting red and tan leather spine labels
Gilt-ruled boards
Decorative gilt turn-ins
Marbled endpapers
All edges gilt

First published in 1908, The Wind in the Willows remains one of the great classics of English children’s literature. Grahame’s story of Mole, Rat, Badger, and Mr. Toad has remained continuously popular for more than a century, and Ernest H. Shepard’s illustrations have become among the most familiar and beloved interpretations of the book.

This is a later Methuen edition, but presented here in a highly collectible signed Bayntun-Riviere leather binding.

Very Good to Near Fine.

The binding is bright, clean, and very attractive, with strong blue color and crisp gilt decoration. The leather remains supple and well preserved, showing only light handling and minor shelf wear. The spine is bright and appealing, with clear gilt lettering and decoration. Boards are clean with only minor surface marks visible on close inspection.

Marbled endpapers are fresh and attractive. The Bayntun-Riviere binder’s stamp is clear on the front turn-in. The text block is clean and well preserved throughout, with no significant foxing noted. All edges gilt remain bright.

A beautiful collector’s copy of The Wind in the Willows, combining Grahame’s classic text, Shepard’s celebrated illustrations, and a signed Bayntun-Riviere full leather binding.