A Floral Fantasy in An Old English Garden
London: Harper and Brothers, 1899. First edition. Hardcover. Quarto. 46pp. [2] (French fold leaves). Housed in a custom green pebbled leather over beige cloth clamshell box. Original striking illustrated green and tan cloth boards, with beautiful illustrated endpapers. This gorgeous illustrated young adult floral fantasy is one of the great works of pioneering 19th century British illustrator Walter Crane (1845-1915). Written throughout in delightful verse, which personifies various types of flowers in the form of characters displaying their corresponding attributes. Each verse is accompanied by lushly evocative art nouveau (modern style) images characteristic of Crane's work.
Binding with some age toning and light staining (mostly along the edges of the front cover). Spine and extremities lightly rubbed and bumped. Interior quite clean. Save for some starting at p.5, book block is still quite tight. Reinforced along the gutters of the front and rear endpapers with japan tissue. Slipcase in fine condition, binding in good+, interior in very good+ condition overall. Binding protected in modern mylar. g+ to vg+. Item #52663
Illustrated ex-libris of George Evelyn Cower (1822-1911) a British judge based in Madras, India, pasted on the front free endpaper.
Price: $375.00