{"product_id":"helens-babies-john-habberton-1st-edition","title":"Helen's Babies, John Habberton — 1st Edition","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"45\"\u003ePublication\u003c\/b\u003e: London, William Mullan \u0026amp; Son, 1877\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"93\"\u003eFormatting\u003c\/b\u003e: 8vo, pp. [vi], 126.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/b\u003e: Very Good. This copy remains remarkably bright and attractive for its age, bound in the publisher's original green cloth. The gilt and black pictorial stamping on the front board and spine remains notably sharp and unoxidised, though the extremities of the spine and board corners show light rubbing and minor shelf-wear. The hinges are secure, and the binding remains suitably tight. Internally, the text block is generally clean, though some expected age-toning and mild scattered spotting are present, primarily affecting the endpapers and preliminary leaves. The text block edges are moderately toned, but the pages remain supple and without tears. Overall, it is a well-preserved, handsome, and robust example of a fragile Victorian printing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"2\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/b\u003e: This is an early and scarce UK printing of John Habberton's immensely popular novel, published shortly after the original American edition. The author initially published the work anonymously, playfully attributing it 'By Their Latest Victim' on the title page, a detail faithfully retained in this early issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003eThe work features a charming and vibrant pictorial cloth binding that perfectly captures the whimsical and mischievous tone of the story. A neat, contemporary ownership inscription dated the year of publication on the front endpaper adds an authentic touch of historical provenance to the volume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003eCopies of this specific Mullan imprint are notably scarce on the open market today. While later Victorian and Edwardian reprints by other publishing houses are frequently encountered, early issues like this remain elusive for collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eOriginally published anonymously, \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"40\"\u003eHelen's Babies\u003c\/i\u003e became a runaway literary sensation upon its release, much to the surprise of its author, John Habberton. The novel offers a hilarious and endearing semi-autobiographical account of a bachelor uncle left in charge of his two wildly rambunctious nephews, Toddie and Budge, for ten days. What follows is a delightful descent into chaos, capturing the innocent yet devastatingly destructive nature of children with sharp wit and Victorian charm. A timeless piece of comedic fiction that resonates just as strongly with modern readers as it did with its 19th-century audience.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55520307446099,"sku":"6245","price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20261012_162915.jpg?v=1792409913","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/helens-babies-john-habberton-1st-edition","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}