Edinburgh: William Whyte and Co, 1839. xii, 387, [1] pages. Octavo. First edition. Contemporary half calf gilt over marbled boards. Some light marking; lacks half-title and first flyleaf; bookplate and bibliographical notice pasted to fixed front endpaper; also a rare cut signature of Catherine Sinclair. A very good copy of the rare first edition Only one thousand copies of the first edition were issued; the second thousand (i.e. second edition) being issued in 1839; the text being reset. The third thousand(i.e. third edition), was issued in 1839 illustrated with 6 plates. Holiday House quickly became one the most successful and well-loved children’s novels, being reprinted as late as 1972 by Hamish Hamilton. The first edition has proved an elusive treasure for many collectors of children’s books. For a detailed discussion of its publishing history see Alderson & Moon, Childhood Re-Collected Appendix II.