French first editions of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1952) and Prince Caspian (1953)
Many first edition Narnia books published in other countries had unique, enchanting artwork that was never repeated for further printings. These covers for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (shortened to The Lion and the White Witch) and Prince Caspian have a light, airy, featherweight feel that seems more appropriate for a book of nursery rhymes than a pre-teen fantasy.
As with these LWW illustrations by Maxim Mitrofanov, there are deviations from what’s in the actual text. On the left, Aslan wears a superhero-like cape complete with a button fastener on which the letter A is seen and, rather awkwardly, he holds the pommel of a sword in his paws. The White Witch is seen sneaking around in the back on top of a small rise as a crow flies up and away into the sky. There was some indication in the text that birds were the White Witch’s spies, so likely the artist read the book; but why that cape on Aslan?
On the other cover, one of the Bulgey Bears dances with a fox in a sort of bacchanal as Caspian, Trumpkin, and Trufflehunter approach. This may be the Wild Romp for all I know, but the latter three weren’t present. There were no foxes mentioned in the book either.
Yet I can’t help but like them. Here’s a full view of the gorgeous LWW artwork.
