A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES [With Signature of R. M. Ballantyne to the Title Page] by Stevenson, Robert Louis - 1885

London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1885. A fascinating and important first edition copy with outstanding provenance. The signature of R. M. Ballantyne is tipped onto the title page and an inscription to the front free end paper states 'from Jean Ballantyne 1902.' [Robert Michael Ballantyne, Scottish author of juvenile fiction, wrote more than 100 books the most famous of which 'The Coral Island'. was a strong influence on Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 94), who would later base portions of his famous book Treasure Island on themes in 'The Coral Island'. Jean Ballantyne is believed to be one of the daughters of R. M. Ballantyne, probably named after Balantyne's mother Jean. It is a moot point as to whether this was actually Balantyne's copy, though it would seem so; there is also a seemingly unrelated gift inscription on the front free end paper]. Pp. x, 101 [3 -blanks]; original end papers. Original blue cloth with bevelled edges, gilt lettering to the spine with gilt vignette to the front board, binding very good with a little general wear, slightly marked, head/tail of the spine and corners rubbed. Contents clean and tight, a few gatherings slightly out of line, end papers tanned, a few pages slightly dusty at edges, otherwise appears unmarked. A very good first edition copy, signed on a slip to the title page by R. M. Ballantyne. [Bibliographic note: this first edition copy mentions '(two series)' after 'New Arabian Nights' on the advert for books 'By the Same Author' and it would seem that might suggest it is a second issue of the first edition.]. By Author's Wife. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 12mo.