• The Midnight Folk John Masefield Folio First Edition Book with illustrated cover and slipcase.
  • The Midnight Folk John Masefield Folio First Edition Book with illustrated cover and slipcase.
  • Illustrated spine of The Midnight Folk John Masefield Folio First Edition Book with slipcase.
  • Illustration of a fox in The Midnight Folk John Masefield Folio First Edition Book with illustrated cover and slipcase.
  • Publication details of The Midnight Folk John Masefield Folio First Edition Book with illustrated cover and slipcase.
  • Illustration of Kay Harker and black cat in The Midnight Folk John Masefield Folio First Edition Book with illustrated cover and slipcase.
  • Illustration of an owl in The Midnight Folk John Masefield Folio First Edition Book with illustrated cover and slipcase.
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Kittys Tales

The Midnight Folk John Masefield Vintage Children's Book Folio Edition First Thus Slipcase

The Midnight Folk John Masefield Vintage Children's Book Folio Edition First Thus Slipcase

£68.00 GBP
£68.00 GBP
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Classic Children's Book "The Midnight Folk" by John Masefield Folio Society Edition with Slipcase First Thus 2011.  Beautifully Illustrated Entrancing Children's Story of Magic, Wildlife, Witches and Wonder.

Fabulous edition of this classic children's story by John Masefield that was first published in 1927 offered here in a superb Folio Society rendition beautifully illustrated by Sara Ogilvie who has captured the essence of this marvellous tale of magic and mischief perfectly. 

This Folio Society Edition with slipcase (shown in second photo) was published in 2011 keeping true to the original manuscript of the story by John Masefield. This is the first edition thus of that Folio Edition. 

The introduction is by Alison Lurie who starts with the wonderful words "The greatest children's books are usually written by people who have not forgotten what it is like to be a child." This skill makes this exciting story full of all the things children love. The tale tells of treasure, witches, pirates and mermaids. Even King Arthur and his Knights make an appearance. 

A truly rollicking tale from a time when childhood was more simple and innocent and an adventure story like this wonderful book was the height of pleasure for any child. 

Used Book: Vintage & Sustainable
Authentic: Photos show actual books for sale.
❧

Kitty’s Notes

One of my favourite stories as a child this marvellous book is a magical tale of the world of childhood seen through the eyes of Kay Harker as he embarks on his wondrous adventures.

A child who loves animals is magically enabled to become one with the creatures he loves, animals can talk and he can even become one of them "The Midnight Folk" of the story based around the wildlife Masefield remembers from his own childhood and of course a magical black cat.

❦ ❦ ❦ ❦

KITTY RECOMMENDS THIS

Foray into a Fantasy Classic
🪶Excerpt from this Book
"After a time he did not think that it was a guitar, but a voice calling to him, 'Kay, Kay, wake up.' Waking up, he rubbed his eyes: it was broad daylight but no one was there. Someone was scraping and calling inside the wainscot, just below where the pistols hung. There was something odd about the daylight; it was brighter than usual; all things looked more real than usual. 'Can't you open the door, Kay?' the voice asked. There never had been a door there; but now that Kay looked, there was a little door, all studded with knops of iron. Just as he got down to it, it opened towards him, there was Nibbins, the black cat. 'Come along, Kay,' Nibbins said, 'we can just do it while they're at the banquet; but don't make more noise than you must.' Kay peeped through the door. It opened from a little narrow passage in the thickness of the wall. 'Where does it lead to?' he asked. 'Come and see,' Nibbins said...."
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Kitty's Book Guide

Themes & Mood
Fantasy & Magic, Friendship & Loyalty, Witchery & Wizardry, Nature & Wildlife
Reader Appeal
Family Library Classic
Author
John Masefield
Illustrator
Sara Ogilvie
Format
Hardback, Illustrated, First Edition thus, Vintage Children's Book, Collectable
Timeline
Modern Classic 2000's Children's Book
Classification
Children's Classic
Condition
Gift Quality
Publisher
Folio Society Ltd.
London , 2011
Kindred Books Curated for You
Fairy Tale Myth and Fantasy Books
Curator
Featuring Characters Kay Harker, Abner Brown
Writer's Heritage 20th Century British Authors
BOOK CONDITION & ARCHIVAL NOTES Bird icon
Kitty Says:
"This folio edition book is in excellent condition.A pristine book in a very good slipcase that is well worthy of gifting either to someone who loved this book as a child or to share it with a new reader to delight. The beautifully Illustrated front board shows a striking design of 'The Midnight Folk'."
Collector Hint:
"Ideal collectable condition to gift and to display on the bookshelf. "
Condition GradeExcellent (Grading Guide)
EditionFirst Thus
Dust JacketNone as Issued, Slipcase
Binding MaterialHardcover with Slip Case
Ownership MarksFree from inscriptions or bookplates
Signs of AgeThe slipcase has very light signs of wear with a little rubbing to one corner but is overall excellent.

*Condition is graded taking history and age into consideration.

THE CURATOR'S STATEMENT 🪶
☙☙
Bibliographic Appraisal

This volume has been personally curated and bibliographically reviewed for its significance within the heart of 20th-century children's literature.

Kitty hand-selects each book for its unique appeal, quality, and status as a carefully preserved piece of history—to be enjoyed again or given as a cherished gift.

We thoroughly appraise every book on the Kitty’s Tales shelves to ensure the condition is honestly described and robust before it is offered for sale.

Kitty
☙☙
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Sustainability We use sustainable and recyclable packaging wherever possible. International Shipping All orders are sent Tracked and Fully Insured. Rates calculated at checkout. Returns & Guarantee Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery. Full Policy
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Kitty’s Curator Trivia

  • Decades before C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien reshaped British fantasy, John Masefield was pioneering the genre.
  • While serving as Poet Laureate, he wrote two masterpieces of children's literature: The Midnight Folk (1927) and The Box of Delights (1935).
  • Masefield practically invented "kitchen-sink fantasy," boldly mixing Arthurian myth, talking animals, time travel, and hidden pirate gold with the modern world.
  • The eerie, atmospheric country houses in these books were heavily drawn from his own childhood memories of living in a sprawling, uncanny old house in Herefordshire—a place full of secret corridors and locked rooms that kindled his lifelong fascination with the supernatural and the past.