The Garden Behind The Moon by Howard Pyle (1938 Hardcover)


  • Author: Howard Pyle (1853-1911)
  • Illustrator: Howard Pyle (1853-1911)
  • Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, NY U.S.A. 1938


David goes on a journey to the moon-garden where everything is beautiful and where he also meets Phyllis who is not like the other children in the garden. While he is allowed to play in this beautiful place for awhile, he at last finds out that he has been brought there to reveal his true mission, which is to find the Wonder-Box and the Know-All Book that is hidden in the Iron Castle and bring them back to earth. In order to find the Iron Castle, he must first find and tame the Black Winged Horse. Will he be able to succeed at the task given him?


Howard Pyle (1853-1911) was an American illustrator and author, primarily of books for young people. After 1900, he founded his own school of art and illustration, named the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. Some of his more notable students were N. C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Elenore Abbott, Ethel Franklin Betts, Anna Whelan Betts, Harvey Dunn, Clyde O. DeLand, Philip R. Goodwin, Thornton Oakley, Violet Oakley, Ellen Bernard Thompson Pyle, Olive Rush, Allen Tupper True, Elizabeth Shippen Green, Arthur E. Becher, William James Aylward, and Jessie Willcox Smith.


Pyle was widely respected during his life and continues to be well regarded by illustrators and fine artists. Vincent van Gogh, a contemporary, wrote in a letter to his brother Theo that Pyle's work "... struck me dumb with admiration."


Hardcover has green cloth boards with gold lettering, black & red designs on spine and front cover, but no DJ. Inscribed as a 1942 Christmas gift in front end-papers. The text is unmarked, binding tight, gutters not torn, cover-edges & corners only lightly worn. There is an indent on edge of front cover.


  • Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall, 318 pp.
  • Condition: Good Hardcover w/o Dust Jacket.


Copyright 1895, renewed 1923 by his son. Published by Charles Scribner's Sons. This copy printed in 1938 according to title page. No ISBN, LCCN nor MSR.


Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:


Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new”.  Booksellers needed some word to describe this...


Very Good – How you or I might take care of a book, closer to “as new” than standard. Might show ownership.


Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” The most likely condition

for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.


Acceptable – How a child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure

someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or

a book that has been damaged.)


Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have

missing pages (you should ask).


Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.


1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector

might desire this copy.


Thanks for looking!