(Humphrey, Maud) illustrator. CHILDREN OF SPRING with illustrations in colors and monotint by Maud Humphrey; verses by Edith M. Thomas. New York: Frederick A. Stokes & Brother, 1888, (1888). FIRST EDITION. 4to - 7-5/8" X 10". Light blue stiff paper wrappers with serrated edges, bound with a gold and white cord with title, illustrator and author printed in black on upper wrapper; a celluloid plaque with an embossed image of a young girl, sewn through corners, to upper wrapper; gift inscription dated Xmas 1891 on inside front wrapper and discoloration to back wrapper for what would otherwise be considered AS NEW. Original publisher's blue paper covered cardboard box with paper paste-on with title, illustrator and author printed in blue affixed to box top; top with general wear, split corners and sides and short areas of losses to the sides; bottom with split corners and sides but with no losses for what is an amazing survival of the EXCEEDINGLY RARE original box. [4] leaves, [3] leaves of plates. The book consists of title page, three leaves of text, each with a single spring themed poem by Thomas printed in brown ink over a monochrome drawing of spring flowers, and three leaves of plates, each with a stunning chromolithograph by Humphrey of a little girl in a springtime setting. Internally, the book is FINE. The condition of the book is NEAR FINE. The condition of the box is FAIR. Only one copy of the book located on OCLC/WorldCat (National Art Library, Victoria and Albert Museum). EXCEEDINGLY RARE; especially in the original publisher's box. # 000654