THE ROSSETTIS: Dante Gabriel and Christina
New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1907. Hardcover. The deluxe "Photogravure Edition" issue, later printing thus. This critical appreciation of Dante Gabriel (1828-82) and Christina Rossetti (1830-94) is the third in a series of original works on prominent literary figures by the longtime art critic of The New York Times. Cary (1867-1936) placed emphasis on moral earnestness, refinement, and beauty of expression, values that informed her own writing as well as that of her subjects. Large octavo: [1, blank], [1, ads], [2], xi, [1, blank], 310, [1, blank], [2, ads], [1, blank] pp. with the frontispiece and 26 full-page plates, all photogravures with red-printed captioned tissue guards, after photographs, paintings, and drawings, as well as 4 full-page halftones, and chapter heads and tail pieces, all wood engravings. The title page is printed in maroon and black. In the publisher's midnight blue vertical fine-ribbed cloth binding, designed by Margaret Armstrong, with gilt-stamped silhouette designs of ironwork and grapevine, incorporating ovals panels with titling. Top edge gilt, with buff endpapers and a white silk ribbon. Period previous owner's ink signature to the front flyleaf, with some light edgewear to the boards. Better than very good. Provenance: from the Publishers' Bookbindings collection of Ellen K. Morris and Edward S. Levin. Item #79008
Price: $200.00