Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett. Illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith.
Title: In the Closed Room.
Publisher: New York, McClure, Phillips & Co., 1904. First Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 8.5 x 6 inches.
Pages: iii, 129 pages.
Binding: Very good original publisher’s green cloth binding, decoratively stamped in gilt to the front cover and spine (hinges fine, binding slightly scuffed and worn - as shown). Top edge gilt. A very attractive and well-preserved example under a protective, removable mylar cover.
Content: Very good condition. Clean, bright, and well-kept internally, with only light signs of age. A lovely copy.
Illustrations: Complete with 8 full-page colour illustrations by Jessie Willcox Smith, all in excellent condition, beautifully capturing the delicate emotional tone of the narrative.

Estimate: (USD 250 – 350)

The book: In the Closed Room is one of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s more intimate and atmospheric works, blending psychological sensitivity with a quiet sense of mystery. The story unfolds through the perspective of a child, exploring themes of imagination, isolation, and emotional awakening—hallmarks of Burnett’s enduring literary appeal.

This 1904 first illustrated edition is particularly desirable for its collaboration with Jessie Willcox Smith, one of the most celebrated illustrators of the Golden Age of American illustration. The book is elegantly designed, with refined Art Nouveau-inspired decorative borders and typography that frame both text and images with remarkable harmony. The soft green palette of the binding and interior ornamentation enhances the book’s gentle, contemplative mood.

Smith’s illustrations, rendered in her signature luminous style, bring warmth and humanity to the narrative, making this edition a standout example of early 20th-century illustrated book production.

The author: Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849–1924) was an Anglo-American novelist and playwright best known for beloved classics such as Little Lord Fauntleroy, A Little Princess, and The Secret Garden. Her works often explore childhood, resilience, and transformation, earning her a lasting place in both children’s and literary fiction.

The illustrator: Jessie Willcox Smith (1863–1935) was one of the foremost illustrators of her time and a leading figure of the Golden Age of American illustration. Associated with the famed “Red Rose Girls,” she was renowned for her sensitive depictions of children and domestic scenes. Her work for In the Closed Room exemplifies her ability to convey emotion with grace, subtlety, and timeless charm.