In November 2024, I wrote on this blog about what was then the planned publication in 2025 of a new edition of Owen Barfield’s fairy-tale, The Silver Trumpet. Specifically I noted that it would be published by the Barfield Press on the 100th anniversary of its first publication. That gave rise, as I wrote, to a particular curiosity:
I had been wondering recently precisely when in 1925 the book was published by Faber & Gwyer, the predecessor of the publishing house still in existence, Faber & Faber. Such information can be hard to tease out. I learned from Faber’s website that the first list of publications from Faber & Gwyer appeared in November 1925, and therefore The Silver Trumpet was among the first books published by that esteemed house. Just in time for Christmas, one might add.
I can promise that the Barfield Press edition will appear long in advance of Christmas 2025, and with plenty of time to spare to celebrate its hundredth anniversary.
It was one of the happy things in this year to be able to keep that promise. The magic in Barfield’s tale makes it appropriate to suggest that it would be a great stocking-filler for all Barfield readers, for Inklings fans, and for children and adults who love a magical story.
The Barfield Press will wait till later to wish readers a happy Christmas. But even before Christmas this whole month is a special time of year, and we can wish that everyone senses it.
The Silver Trumpet can be purchased at the following online bookshops: Bookshop.org USA. Amazon USA / UK.
