The Selfish Giant 1979 Edition
From the copyright page, this is the 1979 first British edition of this particular illustrated version, published by Evans Brothers Limited. That makes it especially nice to describe as a vintage illustrated edition rather than simply a modern reprint.
The Selfish Giant — Oscar Wilde, illustrated by Joanna Isles
Author: Oscar Wilde
Illustrator: Joanna Isles
Publisher: Evans Brothers Limited, London
Publication year: 1979
Edition: First British edition of this illustrated edition
ISBN: 0-237-44991-9
Printed in: Belgium
Format: Illustrated hardcover / picture book
Original UK price: £3.50 net
Language: English
Text: Slightly abridged for this edition
Genre: Classic literature / Fairy tale / Illustrated children’s book
Collecting interest: Vintage illustrated Oscar Wilde; 1970s children’s illustration
A charming 1979 illustrated edition of Oscar Wilde’s classic fairy tale The Selfish Giant, beautifully brought to life through the distinctive artwork of Joanna Isles.
Wilde’s much-loved story tells of a selfish Giant who refuses to allow children to play in his beautiful garden. As a consequence, winter refuses to leave—until the Giant gradually discovers the transformative power of kindness, generosity and love. First published as a story in Wilde’s The Happy Prince and Other Tales in 1888, The Selfish Giant remains one of his most enduring and poignant fairy tales.
This edition was first published in Great Britain in 1979 by Evans Brothers Limited, London. The text is noted as being slightly abridged for this edition. Joanna Isles’ wonderfully imaginative illustrations give the story a particularly distinctive late-1970s character, with intricate line work, whimsical figures, decorative architecture and a soft, muted colour palette.
Collector’s note
This is not a first edition of Oscar Wilde’s story itself; rather, it is the first British edition of this Joanna Isles illustrated version, as stated on the copyright page. That’s an important distinction to make in your Owl Books listing.
The original dust jacket is particularly attractive and retains the original £3.50 net printed price. From your photographs, the jacket shows visible age and wear, particularly around the corners and edges, so I would describe the copy as a vintage book with age-related wear rather than pristine.
Short listing description
Vintage 1979 First British Edition — The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde, illustrated by Joanna Isles.
A beautifully illustrated edition of Wilde’s timeless tale of selfishness, kindness and redemption. Published by Evans Brothers Limited, London, this 1979 edition features Joanna Isles’ wonderfully whimsical full-colour artwork and retains its illustrated dust jacket. A delightful vintage volume for collectors of Oscar Wilde, classic children’s literature and distinctive twentieth-century book illustration.